EPWORTii LEAGUE WORKERS 




LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



t 



EPWORTH LEAGUE WORKERS 




THE KliCTOKV AT El'WOUTlI, ENGLAND. 



EPWORTH LEAGUE 



WORKERS 




DEC 6 



JACOB EMBURY PRICE 



REVISED EDITION 



NEW YORK: HUNT & EATON 
CINCINNATI: CRANSTON & CURTS 
1895 



0^ 



Copyright by 
HUNT & EATON, 
1894. 



LOOK UP — : 



-LIFT UP. 



I DESIRE TO FORM A LEAQUE, 
OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE, 
WITH EVERY SOLDIER OF 
JESUS CHRIST. 

WE LIVE TO MAKE OUR OWN 
CHURCH A POWER IN THE 
LAND, WHILE WE LIVE TO 
LOVE EVERY OTHER CHURCH 
THAT EXALTS OUR CHRIST. 



PREFACE. 



The successful management of a Young 
People's Society is a practical problem in the 
life of the modern Church. As a humble aid in 
the solution of this problem this volume is of- 
fered. Its object is not to set forth a perfect 
theory of such an organization, but to afford 
some thoroughly practical hints and sugges- 
tions for beginners in this particular field. Ac- 
cordingly there is scarcely a suggestion as to 
methods, topics of essays, programmes, night- 
schools, reading-rooms, library, cabinet, et id 
genus onine^ but has been practically tested in 
the author's experience or by some local society 
of which he has personal knowledge. 

Much that is found here may seem to the 
reader fanciful. Experience makes one cau- 
tious, however, of hasty judgment upon any 
method or device that he has not yet tried. 
Often what appears so trivial as to be chi- 
merical, or so exalted as to be only ideal, is the 
best possible and only practicable method for 
some particular society. 

In the successful direction and conduct of a 



8 



PRE FA CE. 



Young People's Society, every thing depends 
upon tactful adaptation. This treatise does 
not presume to prescribe, but rather to offer 
methods and plans which it is hoped will usu- 
ally suggest to the faithful toiler a better way. 
A hint will be taken, and so transformed and 
improved by the reader that the author would 
not recognize in it the original. 

If in this work the author appears open to 
the charge of presumption a partial defense 
is to be found in his claim to have learned 
something from frequent failures in an ear- 
nest and continued effort to realize success. 
His is the reply of the pilot who vindicated 
his knowledge of the channel by the stout 
declaration that he had " been on every sand- 
bar and rock in the river, and therefore ought 
to know where they are." 

An eminent American clergyman, when 
asked to name what in his judgment was the 
greatest word in the English language, took 
his pen and wrote, Helpfulness ! " If the 
suggestions here offered shall prove helpful, 
this volume, prepared amid the pressing duties 
of a busy pastorate, will have accomplished its 
purpose. Jacob Embury Price. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

DEMAXD FOR YOUNG PEOPLP:'s SOCIETIES. 

The age and its charactei-istics — The forces of youth — Loss 
of young people from the Church — Amusements — Over- 
come evil with good — Training of the young — God honors 
discipline — Objection. Too much organization — A possibly 
providential purpose .Page 13 



CHAPTER II. 

A DENOMINATIONAL YOUNG PEOPLE'S SOCIETY. 

Arguments for a denominational society — Intelligent loyalty 
— Uniformity of church machinery — Church Lyceum — Ox- 
ford League — Rise of other societies — The Cleveland Con- 
ference — The Epworth League — The Epworth wheel — 
Literature — The organization flexible and comprehensive — 
The biological Test 25 



CHAPTER in. 

HOW TO ESTABLISH THE EPWORTH LEAGUE WHERE ANOTHER 
SOCIETY ALREADY EXISTS. 

A practical problem — Other Methodist societies — King's 
Daughters — Christian Endeavor — A practical solution — 
Assignment of departments- -Object gained worth the sac- 
rifice 40 



10 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER IV. 

MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES, 

Number of meetings — Parliamentary forms — Department re- 
ports — Character of meetings— Committees responsible for 
programmes — Confronting emergencies — Devices for liteii 
ary meetings — Round Robin — Devices for biblical meet- 
ings — Valuable service of committees Page 46 

CHAPTER V. 

LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS — PROGRAMxMES. 

Three objects — Debates — Essays on every-day topics — Dia- 
monds, petroleum, silks, banking, etc. — A physician's 
themes — News of the week — Composite declamation — 
Scientific and economic subjects — Sunbeams, parasites, 
snow-crystals — Easy text-books — Pronouncing matches — 
Character studies — Evenings with the Swiss, Scotch, and 
French — Courses of reading — Diplomas — -Library — Read- 
ing-room — Museum — Stereopticon — Critic 53 

CHAPTER VI. 

BIBLE STUDY. 

The truth incarnated — Scheme of Bible study — Collateral 
lines — The English Bible — The Book of Esther — The Book 
of Job — The Book of Jonah — Epislle to the Romans — The 
four gospels — Twenty questions — Sacred geography — 
Manners and customs — Life of Christ — Sundry topics — 
Religious sects — Archaeology — Evidences 68 

CHAPTER VII. 

STUDIES IN METHODISM. 

Denominational loyalty — Articles of religion — Church history 
— English Methodism — A Wesley celebration — American 
Methodism — Study of a General Conference — Hymns ol 
Charles Wesley — Families of Methodism — Church polity 
— Evening with the Conferences — The benevolences — 
Educational work — Peculiarities — Benefits of such study — 
Proper spirit — Interdenominational good-will — John Wes 
Icy on "A Catholic Spirit" 7q 



CONTENTS. 



n 



CHAPTER VIII. 

SOCIAL CULTURE. 

Responsibility of department — Amusements employed spar- 
ingly — Socials made profitable — Court reception — Evening 
in the dining-room — Conversation social — Social work for 
August —Work of department — Ushers — Visitation — Invi- 
tation — The White Cross — Temperance Page 90 



CHAPTER IX. 

CHRISTIAN WORK. 

Christian work for the young — Illustrious achievements of 
young men — Spiritual welfare — Sunday-school — Fresh-air 
fund — The worker -Spiritual induement — Human ele- 
ments — Character — Work in all departments of the Church 
— Methodism a witnessing Church — Revival work — 
Spreading holiness 99 



CHAPTER X. 

. THE YOUNG PEOPLE'S WEEKLY PRAYER-MEETING. 

Object of the meeting: i. How to get the members there; 

2. The programme ; How to make the meetings interest- 
ing and profitable ; How to get the members to take part ; 

3. What each department can do in this meeting iii 



CHAPTER XI. 

DEPARTMENTS OF ENTERTAINMENT, CORRESPONDENCE, 
FINANCE. 

Choral music — A league chorus — Work of department of en- 
tertainment in all meetings — Excursions — Lecture courses 
— Flowers for the pulpit and the sick — Children's Day — 
Records — Year scrap-book — Finance — Work of three de- 
partments vitally important 130 



12 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER XII. 

THE pastor's relation TO THE LEAGUE. 

The pastor and the presidency — His aid in programmes — 
Opening League meeting — Talks on Bible-reading — Or- 
ganizing young people for work — No clerical arrogance — 
A society for young people — Keeping alive his sympathy — 
His work in the pulpit Page 144 



CHAPTER XIII. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

Esprit de corps — The badge — The mottoes — The pledge — • 
A league paper — Oratorical contests — Spiritual work su. 
preme — The District League — The cabinet and its meet- 
ings — Fraternal spirit toward other chapters' and societies 
— How to use a course of lectures — Object of the Epworth 
League 156 



APPENDIX. 

Course of reading and study in English Histoiy — Epworth 
leaflets — The Epworth League — Constitution of the Ep- 
worth League — By-laws, with hints for organization and 
management — The Junior League — Constitution of the 
Junior League — The District League — The Cleveland 
Conference — The old home at Epworth 171 



Epworth League Workers. 



I. 

DEMAND FOR YOUNG PEOPLE'S SOCIETIES. 

Children are the to-morrow of society " 
is an utterance accredited to Archbishop 
Whateley. If the saying be true it should 
only encourage the further observation that 
young people are the morning hours of soci- 
ety's to-day. 

But morning hours are the wings of the 
day," and wings are suggestive of elasticity, 
buoyancy, hopefulness, ambition, aspiration. 
In these "wings" there are possible loftier 
and farther flights than any preceding age has 
known. 

This age offers remarkable facilities for per- 
sonal development, lofty attainments in knowl- 
edge, large acquisitions of power, The age. 
and wide usefulness. Some characteristics 

may be briefly noted. The first is the exten- 
2 



14 EP IV OR ril LEA G UE WOKRERS. 



sion of the term of human hfe. The autlior 
of Festus has well said : We live in deeds, 
The tern, of life "o^ years ; in thoughts, not words ; 

prolonged. • r i • ^ ' r 

in leehngs, not m figures on a 
dial." Surely there was never a time when so 
much of emotion, thought, purpose and 
achievement could be crowded into a single 
life-time as now. The railway journey of an 
hour must be set over against the day's ride 
in stage-coach a century ago. Steam and 
electricity in their manifold applications en- 
able us to croAvd into the years of our life a 
thousand-fold more than was possible in some 
ages of the past. Methuselah lived nine hun- 
dred and sixt3^-nine years, but the wide-awake 
young man alert to his opportunities can in 
his life of threescore and ten feel, think, and 
achieve more, and so live longer than did 
Methuselah. Better fifty years of Europe 
than a cycle of Cathay." 

The age is marked, too, by the expansion 
of our powers. The human vision is limited. 

Expansion of but thc tclcSCOpC in thc Lick Ob- 
cur powers. , . . , . , 

servatory which brings the moon, 
two hundred and forty thousand miles away, 
within two hundred miles of the earth, simply 



VO UNG PE OPLE ' S SO CIE TIE S. 1 5 



extends that vision through two hundred and 
thirty-nine thousand eight hundred miles. 
The microscope does the same thing for us in 
another direction. The telephone widens the 
range of the human voice by twelve hundred 
miles. The hydraulic jack immeasurably mul- 
tiplies our muscular energies. 

The concentration of the intellectual treas- 
ures and forces of the past makes this age re- 
markable. There is a strange vital- concentration 
ity in thought as it comes through ° energies, 
the media of several languages. Bishop 
Warren once telegraphed a friend to meet 
him in the Coele-Syria Valley. That message 
was translated seven times between man and 
man, but the next day the two riders met on 
the bridge over the river Litany. 

Linguistic science and archaeology are hav- 
ing remarkable triumphs, and are liberating 
the stored-up energies of former ages, and 
these are concentrating in our own. The 
young man of to-day compels the mightiest 
thinkers of the past to walk by his side, enrich 
him with their counsel, and fire him with their 
spirit. 

Further, this is an age of speedy appropria- 



16 



EP IVOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



tion. Columbus entreated the monarclis of 
Speedy appro- Europe eight loHg ycars before he 
pnation. obtained a successful hearing for 

his project to discover a new world. To-day 
Edison announces a new invention. The press 
heralds it through the civilized world, and in 
a few weeks its practical application has revo- 
lutionized an industr\% and modified the com- 
merce of a nation. 

The growing ascendency of the moral and 
spiritual forces is another feature. Never be- 
Ascendency of fo^'^ "^^'^s thc Christian religion so 

spiritual forces. . , ™, 

generally trmmphant. ihe cross 
never rallied so many disciples as now, and 
the Gospel never before was greeted by so 
many doors of opportunity. Vast resources 
support and fields white to the harvest inspire 
the Christian toiler. Not to speak of other 
characteristics, the prolongation of human life, 
the expansion of powers, the concentration of 
energy, the speedy appropriation of ideas, and 
the ascendency of spiritual forces combine to 
make this age phenomenal in its facilities for 
development, and opportunities for beneficent 
service. Young people are certainl}' to be 
congratulated upon their patrimony, and that 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S SOCIETIES. 17 



it is allotted to them to work out their desti- 
nies in such a day of promise and possibility 
as this, being, as they are indeed, *' Heirs of all 
the ages, in the foremost files of time." 

But besides privilege is power, and it would 
be a great blessing both to the Church and to 
young people themselves if the power pecul- 
iar to youth were neither exaggerated nor 
disparaged, but accurately estimated. Age 
has its advantages, chief among which is wis- 
dom — that cautious, conservative The forces of 
judgment which comes from ex- 
perience. But youth has enthusiam, energy, 
spring, dash, courage sometimes amounting 
to fearlessness. If only willing to learn from 
older heads, and considerate enough to be 
guided by higher counsels, they can furnish tre- 
mendous forces so much mightier than steam 
and electrical energy as to be beyond compare. 

The demand for young people's societies 
begins with the recognition of the possibilities 
and powers to which reference has 

Demand for 

been made. There are, however, young people's 

societies. 

other considerations, among which 

the loss of young people from the Church 

deserves attention. Thousands of them slip 



18 



E P WOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



their cables and drift away from the Church 
every year. Seventy five per cent, of the 
Loss of young young iTicn of this country, it has 
people. been estimated by a careful writer, 

are outside the Church altogether. 

Among the many causes contributing to 
this deplorable state of things may be men- 
Amusements, tioned the marked reaction from 
Puritanic training — a reaction very liable to 
the other extreme of worldliness and sinful 
indulgence. The Church, striving to guard 
against this evil, has set her face firmly against 
certain harmful amusements. Without ques- 
tioning the wisdom of this policy it may be 
urged that it is high time the Church had pro- 
vided something to take their place. While, 
true, it may be said it is not the office of the 
Church to amuse, it can with equal force be 
maintained that wisdom would be illustrated 
in providing something better than the world 
can furnish ; that w^hich will both entertain 
and interest. 

Here is the true method. "Overcome evil 
^ ., with g^ood." The Alaskan River 

Overcome evil o 

with good. Yukon pours such a volume of 
water into the sea as to drive back the salt water 



rO UNG PEOPLES SOCIE TIES. 19 

of the ocean and preserve its own freshness for 
ten miles away from the coast. That river is 
not in peril of saltness from invasion by the 
sea. It is the vacant, empty Hfe, the Hfe void 
of satisfying pleasure or soul-inspiring purpose, 
that is open to the assaults of evil. It is the 
house that is empty, swept, and garnished," 
into which the devils enter. The Church 
owes it to our young people to provide for 
them wholesome, instructive entertainment, 
and open up to them channels of beneficent serv- 
ice into w^hich they may pour the tide of their 
youthful and religious enthusiasm. If prop- 
erly approached they will respond to the ap- 
peal and with alacrity devote themselves to 
the Master's service. Their lives, thus filled 
with wholesome pleasure and with holy work, 
shall pour such streams of positive healing 
influence into the worldliness about them as 
to drive back evil, and they can then walk this 
world in safety, much as a man in perfect 
health walks amid a riotous pestilence and 
by the fullness of his health and life flings 
contagion off. Now just this work a wisely- 
organized and well-directed young people's 
society may accomplish. It must be more 



20 



EPWORTII LEAGUE WORKERS. 



than a " Gideon's Band " devised to bring the 
young men into organized action for revival 
work. This organization must stay by the 
young people month after month the year 
through, constantly giving new inspirations 
and inviting to fields of rewarding toil. 

But another and equally important task 
relative to young people confronts the Church 
Training of the " dcvclopmeut and training of 
young. forces represented by them. First 

of all, for their own sake, should they be 
trained to work in the Lord's vineyard. Di- 
vine solicitude, as manifest in the Word, appar- 
ently concerns itself more with the character 
and motive of the worker than with the work 
he shall do. Building upon the one fourtda- 
tion, Jesus Christ, with self-sacrificing zeal 
and with pure love and unwavering faith, he 
must be always abounding in the work of the 
Lord." For the sake of his own spiritual 
culture he must toil. The unused talent 
will be taken from him. If the mole will 
burrow in the soil and hide away from the 
light he shall not have his eyes. The active 
toiler grows and greatens; the idle Chris- 
tian pays the penalty for his inaction in the 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S SOCIETIES. 21 



Stunting of his faculties and the dwarfing of 
his being. 

But there is work to be done, and for this 
the Church must make ready by the training 
of her forces. Vast numbers now ^ ,. 

God honors a\s- 

gather under the banners of Christ's '^'p^'"^- 
kingdom. There is all difference, however, 
between a mob and an army. Of the multi- 
tudes who gather in our Church and whose 
names are on the rosters of our Commander, 
how few are trained soldiers — knowing how to 
obey orders, endure hardness, remain steady 
under fire, and stay by the guns until the 
victory is secured ! 

God honors the discipline and spirit of a 
true soldier. Of Gideon's army twelve thou- 
sand are fearful, while nine thou- Gideon, 
sand and seven hundred lack enthusiasm ; all 
these are sent home, and by the remaining 
three hundred genuine soldiers the Lord wins , 
the victory. 

When the Philistine giant defied the armies 
of Israel, God wrought deliverance by a dis- 
ciplined hand. Never was soldier David, 
better trained by the laborious regime of mili- 
tary tactics for the crucial hour of battle 



22 EPWORTH LEAGUE WORKERS. 



than had been David by the daily practice 
and the frequent emergencies of his shepherd 
life. A cool head, a steady nerve, a deter- 
mined purpose, a dauntless courage, and a 
serene confidence in God supported the ruddy 
shepherd lad when, selecting a few smooth 
stones from the brook, and placing them in 
that oft-tried sling, he hurled them with such 
precision that they sank into the forehead of 
the haughty Goliath. 

The twentieth century will soon dawn upon 
us, and with that dawning will come new 
problems to be solved, new giants to be slain. 
The Church will do wisely to employ the next 
decade in training her youthful Davids for the 
coming conflict with the giants. In this work 
a young people's society may certainly prove 
a most valuable agency. 

Objection is urged upon the ground that 
the Church itself is organization sufficient; 
Objection. Too that tlic youug peoplc liave only 

much organiza- i i • i i '-r> i • 

tion. to take then' places there, lo this 

in reply two things may be said. First of all, 
our young people have not fallen into their 
places in the work of the Church, but multi- 
tudes have rather fallen out of the Church alto- 



YOUNG PEOPLES SOCIETIES. 



28 



gether. In the second place, a wisely-directed 
society not only trains young people for, but 
mightily aids in bringing them into, their places 
in the general work of the Church. 

It is still urged, however, that there is a 
senseless zeal for organization manifest in 
our American life which ouffht to ^ 

*3 Possible provi- 

be discouraged; and such a view is ^entiai purpose, 
not without support in facts. But underlying 
this spirit which is now abroad there may be a 
providential purpose. More than the natural 
outgrowth of our political system, it may be 
by the workings of that spirit of co-opera- 
tion with which society is yet to be energized 
that the organized selfishness " which causes 
so much oppression and suffering in our mod- 
ern civilization must ultimately be overcome. 
Through this spirit — essentially the spirit of 
the Gospel of Christ— our labor troubles may 
yet find solution ; capitalist and artisan, em- 
ployer and employe, may dwell together in 
peace. If this be the spirit underlying the 
demand for organization the firmer hold it 
takes upon the young people of to-day the 
better. 

No rarer gem has John Ruskin given us 



24 



EP WOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



than his passage in Modern Painters " in 
Illustration iHustration of this principle of co- 
fromRuskin. operation from the possible changes 
in the dust on which we tread. In an ounce 
of slime he finds soot, clay, sand, and water at 
helpless war with each other. Allowing the 
atoms of each substance to come into closest 
possible relations the clay rids itself of all 
foreign substance, becomes white earth, then 
finest porcelain, and finally a lovely sapphire. 
In similar way the sand becomes an opal, the 
soot a diamond, the water a dew-drop, and by 
crystallization a star. 

"And for the ounce of slime which we had 
by political economy of competition we have 
by political economy of co-operation a sapphire, 
an opal, and a diamond, set in the midst of a 
star of snow." 



DENOMINATIONAL SOCIETY. 



23 



II. 

DENOMINATIONAL YOUNG PEOPLE'S SOCIETY. 

All the arguments usually urged for the 
maintenance of a Christian denomination 
which, though breathing a spirit Arguments for 

r r • 11- 1111 adenomina- 

of inendhness, shall have a sep- tionai society, 
arate organization, spirit, and life, apply 
with equal force to the maintenance of a 
denominational society for young people. 
Fervent insistence upon the doctrines and pe- 
culiarities of any religious sect ought not to 
make a member of that body less broad or 
catholic as a Christian, and will not if that 
sect can demonstrate its claim to scriptural 
authority. 

If it be worth while to identify young peo- 
ple with any Christian denomination they 
should be trained to intellig;ent , . n- . i 

o Intelligent loy- 

loyalty. They need not be any the 
less ardent and zealous for the promotion of 
the whole kingdom of Christ because they are 
prepared to give intelligent reasons for being 
Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists, or Prot- 



23 L P IVOR TH LEA G UE WORKER S. 



estant Episcopalians. In the earlier days the 
sharp religious controversy that prevailed ren- 
dered this service at least — it acquainted the 
people with some theology^ and they were able 
to give an intelligible account of the system 
of Church government under which they lived. 
In our days, when effort is being made to dis- 
solve denominational lines in order to promote 
interdenominational fellowship, there is a 
shameful ignorance of any theology and of any 
form of ecclesiastical government. Bridget's 
lack of intelligent patriotism, as manifest in her 
explanation that the Fourth of July celebrates 
the arrival of the Irish in America, is no more 
serious than a kindred want of appreciative 
devotion to their respective denominations 
by Presbyterians who know nothing of John 
Calvin or John Knox, and by Methodists who 
are ignorant of John Wesley and Francis 
Asbury. 

Besides, frequent changes occur in pastoral 
relations. Re-adjustment is marvelously facili- 
The uniformity tatcd by Uniformity of church ma- 

of Church ma- . • -i\ t i i 

chinery. climcry. For instance, m Method- 

ism the quarterly conference, the system of 
class-meetings, the Sunday-school board, the 



DENOMINATIONAL SOCIETY. 27 

missionary societies are the same. Why 
should there not be one general young peo- 
ple's society, modeled after plans thoroughly 
tested by experience and at the same time 
sufficiently flexible and adaptive to meet the 
needs of widely different communities? In 
such a denominational society the incoming 
pastor will find an organization with which 
he is already familiar, and no time or energy 
need be lost in making himself at home with 
the work of the young people. 

In the year 1880 the General Conference, 
impressed with this great need, made provision 
for the organization, whenever „, , 

o ' TheChurch 

practicable, of a Church Lyceum ^y*'^''"'- 
under the supervision of the quarterly confer- 
ence, for mental improvement, and to develop 
facilities for social intercourse ; to organize free 
evening schools ; to provide a library,, text- 
books, and books of reference ; to popularize 
religious literature by reading-rooms or other- 
wise. 

At the meeting and under the auspices of 
the Centennial Conference of the Oxford 
American Methodist Churches, 
held in Baltimore in September, 1884, the Ox- 



28 EP IVOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



ford League was organized. This noble So- 
ciety, the idea of which and the plans for which 
were carefully matured by Dr. John H. Vin- 
cent, pointed back to the birthplace of Meth- 
odism, in the Holy Club of that venerable 
university. The weekly meeting of those five 
young men who assembled for the study of the 
Greek Testament, and whose zeal and pecul- 
iarities won for them the contemptuous name 
of " Methodists," represented four leading- 
ideas, and these were made the aims of the 
Oxford League; namely, (i) Intellectual 
culture ; (2) reverent study of the word of 
God ; (3) a deeper religious experience ; (4) 
methods of practical Christian work. 

In the year of its organization the Oxford 
League was adopted by the Board of Man- 
agers of the Sunday-school Union of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and in May, 
1888, during the session of the General Confer- 
ence, the bishops having been requested to name 
a Board of Control appointed the following : 

Bishop Edward G. Andrews, Bishop John 
^ , , n H. Vincent, the Rev. Jesse L. 

Board of Con- ' J 

Hurlbut, D.D., the Rev. James M. 
Buckley, D.D., and the Rev. James M. Free- 



DENOMINA TIONA L SO CIE T Y. 29 



man, D.D. In January, 1889, Board revised 
somewhat the plans of the League, adapting 
them more completely, to the work of a young 
people's society, and by the ist of May in the 
same year the Oxford League had enrolled 
over five hundred chapters, with a member- 
ship of probably more than twenty thousand. 

In the meantime a number of societies had 
arisen (see Appendix), some of them flourish- 
ins: to a marked des^ree. Since ^. , . 

o o Rise of other 

the aim of these societies was the 
same it would be a manifest economy of 
power if they could in some way be merged 
into one, with one staff of officers and one litera- 
ture. A growing desire for unity culminated 
in a conference of all the general young peo- 
ple's societies of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, which assembled in Cleveland, O., 
May 14, 1889, at the invitation of the Metho- 
dist Alliance. Delegates were ^^^^^^^^^ 
present from the Young People's 
Methodist Alliance, the Oxford League, the 
Young People's Christian League, the Young 
People's Methodist Union, and the Young 
People's Methodist Episcopal Alliance of the 
North Ohio Conference. 



so EP:rORTH LEAGUE WORKERS. 



Each society and its features were duly pre- 
sented, a spirit of mutual concession was 
shown, and, after thorough discussion and 
earnest prayer, it was unanimously resolved 
that all existing societies be merged into one 
new society for the entire Church, to be called 
the Epworth League. 

."The object of the Epworth League is to 
promote an earnest, intelligent, practical, and 
The Epworth ^^J^^ Spiritual life in the young 
.eague. people of our Church, to aid them 

in constant growth in grace and in the attain- 
ment of purity of heart/'^ 

Any young people's society in the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church may become an affili- 
ated chapter of the Epworth League upon 
certain easy conditions. The departments, 
uniquely represented in the famous wheel 
devised by B. E. Helman, Esq., and afterward 

* This statement was adopted by the delegates of tlie 
societies at Cleveland, May 15, 1SS9. At the first meeting uf 
the Board of Control, in Chicago. February 6, i8go, it was 
revised as follows : 

" The object of the League is to promote intelligent and 
loyal piety in the young members and friends of the Church, 
to aid them in the attainment of purity of heart and in con- 
stant growth in grace, and to train them in wcrks of mercy 
and help." 



DENOMINATIONAL SOCIETY. SI 

slightly modified by the Board of Control, are 
as follows : 




Mr. B. E. Helman, from whom came the 
principal features of the Epworth League Con- 
stitution, has written and published a leaflet 
upon " The Theory and Practice of the New 
Departure." We copy a portion of the leaflet 
for our readers : 



§2 



EP IVOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



Our church societies for young people are 
schools for the development of the highest 
type of Christian character. We are to take 
man as he is, cultivate in him the Christian 
graces, harmonize discordant elements in his 
nature, teach him how to live, and keep him 
ever in the way that leads to life eternal. 
This means that his growth and development 
must be harmonious, that we must touch him 
upon all sides, and yet that all of these cur- 
rents of life and activity must blend in char- 
acter as pure as the distilled dew of heaven, 
as stable as the everlasting hills— character 
that can ' triumph over the most adverse cir- 
cumstances, turning them into means of its 
own advancement ; character that can trans- 
figure and glorify the humblest lot.' It may 
be that in the past too much attention has been 
given to development along one line. It is a 
very easy matter to give too much prominence 
to, and to make too much of, the social feature 
in young people's societies. There are those 
who believe that in some organizations too 
much attention has been given to intellectual 
culture, and there are those who believe that 
in still other societies social a.nd literary de- 



DE NOMINA TIONA L SO CIE T Y. 



33 



velopment have received too little attention. 
The idea of the ' new departure ' — the Ep- 
worth League — is to take man as he is, to 
recognize the qualities — moral, mental, and 
social — which make him what he is, and to 
use all of these for the glory of God and to 
make man what he ought to be. 

To do this and to attend to the usual 
business of an organization we have divided 
the work of the League among six divisions, 
each of which is called a department, just as 
is done in a store or factory or in national 
affairs. Certain kinds of work are detailed in 
the diagram to be planned for and looked 
after by each department. This is done in 
this way : As soon as possible after the elec- 
tion of officers the cabinet (that is, the officers) 
take the list of names of the members and as- 
sign them to the various departments, aiming 
to place each member in that department for 
which he is best fitted and where he can and 
will do the best work. A is a person of in- 
fluence and peculiarly fitted for service in the 
department of Christian work, and he is as- 
signed to that. B is a lover of books, and he 
is placed in the department of literary work. 



84 EP WORTH LEAGUE WO RACERS 



C is a comparative stranger or needs the atten- 
tion of a leader to keep him in the way, and 
he is assigned to the department of Christian 
work. In this way every name is carefully 
canvassed. When the work is completed it 
will probably be found that many more are as- 
signed to the department of Christian work than 
to any other, and that in number they grade 
down from No. I to No. 6. This is permissi- 
ble and sometimes is desirable, and hence the 
number of miembers in each department is left 
for the officers at various times to determine 
according to their membership and the needs 
of the League. Now and then it may be ad- 
visable to transfer a member from one depart- 
ment to another. It is not desirable (it may 
sometimes be necessary when the membership 
is limited) to place any member in several of 
the departments. No one ought to be over- 
burdened, and because a person is a good 
worker it is no reason why he should be per- 
mitted or compelled to do all. Every member 
ought to have a place and work to do, and 
the nearer this can be accomplished the 
stronger and the more prosperous the League 
will be. We will suppose that the assignment 



DENOMINA TIONA L SO CIE T Y. 



25 



of members to the various departments has 
been completed, approved by the League, and 
posted or framed so that all may look it over 
and consult it from time to time. 

How are the departments managed? 

This assignment to departments does not 
mean that the members of a given depart- 
ment are the only participants in the work de- 
tailed under that department. It means that 
these members are to study and plan these 
certain lines of work in which all members of 
the League are to participate. This distribu- 
tion of work enlists more workers, systematizes 
the work, brings about more study and con- 
sideration of methods to be used, and accom- 
plishes more. It generates its own enthusiasm 
and works from within out, and from the in- 
dividual to the mass. These department di- 
visions of members are only large committees 
planning for all. 

Now out of the members of his department 
each officer selects a smaller committee of 
three or five. A still further division of mem- 
bers for work can now be made if desired. It 
is possible in this way to reach and interest 
every member of the League and to keep 



S6 



EP WOR TH LEA G UE 



WORKERS. 



every member in the line of duty. Depart- 
ment meetings now and then are of great 
value. With the above explanation and a 
careful study of the diagram and of Article IV 
of our Epworth League Constitution the 
theory of * the new departure ' can readily 
and easily be reduced to practice. 

The work that has been done, the interest 
that has been created, the enthusiasm that has 
been aroused augur well for the future of the 
Epworth League and of Methodism. Let us 
all be workers in His vineyard, ' laboring ever 
for Christ ' and doing valiant service ' In his 
Name.' " 

A pledge is provided, but its adoption is 
made voluntary with the local 

Pledge, litera- 
ture, badges, leagucs. A scrics of excellent 

etc. 

reading courses is recommended 
but not required. Besides a weekly issue of 
TJie Epworth Herald, the official organ, the 
League has already a literature of its own quite 
extensive, comprising leaflets, tracts, topics for 
young people's meetings, plans for uniform 
daily Bible-readings, etc. 

Charters, badges, colors, and all the para- 
phernalia of such societies are furnished. A 



DENOMINATIONAL SOCIETY. 37 

junior league preparatory to the Epworth, 
and admirably adapted to boys and girls, is 
embraced in the general plan. The Epworth 
League, believed by many to be a child of 
Providence, began its eventful career with Rev. 
J. L. Hurlbut, D.D., as Corresponding Sec- 
retary, and Robert R. Doherty, Ph.D., as Re- 
cording Secretary, and in the fulfillment of its 
mission as a denominational young people's 
society aims to bring together in one organiza- 
tion, fire with holy zeal, and train for holy 
work the million and a half of young people 
to be found within the borders of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church. A lofty and noble aim 
indeed, and right royally has this new society 
set about its magnificent enterprise. 

One feature of the Epworth League organ- 
ization especially commendable is Flexible, 
its flexibility. It may be as well organized 
with ten members as with a thousand. The 
plan of the local constitution is remarkably 
comprehensive as regards lines of Comprehensive, 
work opening to young people, and is char- 
acterized with completeness of provision for 
the manifold nature of the young people them- 
selves. The department of spiritual work 



3S 



EP WOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



provides for the religious nature, the Hterary 
department for the intellectual, the depart- 
ment of mercy and help for the social nature, 
and the department of entertainment for the 
sportive nature, while the departments of cor- 
respondence and finance are necess"ary for the 
proper business managerhent of any such 
organization. Spiritual development, intellect- 
ual life, social fellowship, recreative amuse- 
ment — these all appear in the generous provis- 
ions of the Epworth League, and all combine 
in the loving purpose of the Gospel to pre- 
sent every man perfect in Christ Jesus." 

It is easy to see also that the several de- 
partments are essentially co-oper- 

Several depart. 1 - i ^1, 

ments co-op- ativc. 1 uc morc completely they 

erative. 

are organized and enthusiastically 
operated the more fully will they aid each 
other and the general success of the League 
be secured. 

Biological science recognizes adaptation to 
The biological environment as the test of true life. 

Methodism has vindicated her 
right to be, and has displayed her splendid 
vitality in a marvelous power of adjustment 
to conditions which could not have been an- 



DENOMINATIONAL SOCIETY. 



39 



ticlpatcd by her founders. Numerous are the 
illustrations of modifications thus made and 
of new powers of activity thus evolved ; but no 
one is of higher significance than the recent or- 
ganization and phenomenal success of the Ep- 
worth League, whose generous and timely pro- 
visions for the young people contemplate that 
they be instructed in the doctrines, trained in 
the usages, infused with the genius, and fired 
with the glorious history of our beloved 
Methodism, and so carry forward a " Chris- 
tianity in earnest " into the dawn and into the 
day of the twentieth century. 



4.0 EP IVOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



III. 

HOW TO ESTABLISH THE EPWORTH LEAOUE 
WHERE ANOTHER SOCIETY EXISTS. 

The problem before us is one demanding 
practical solution ; for already young people's 
A practical socictles cxisted in many churches, 

problem. i • r i 

under various lorms and names, 
before the Epworth League was born. Long 
ago the Lyceum, recommended by the Disci- 
pline, and devoted chiefly to literary and edu- 
cational work, met with the favor of both 
pastor and young people, and was established 
in many churches. 

Later the Oxford League, designed by 
Bishop Vincent, and indorsed and supported 
by the Sunday-School Union, became more 
widely popular, developing a helpful litera- 
ture, enrolling five hundred chapters, and 
numbering nearly twenty thousand young 
Flourishing pcoplc. Thc Mcthodist Alliance, 

cieTles already flourislliug clliefly ill the Wcst, 
existing. 

claimed, as we have already shown, 
about the same number. The Young People's 



HO IV TO ESTABLISH THE LEAGUE. 41 



Union also flourished, while the Christian 
League rallied under its banners thousands of 
the young people of New England. Thus the 
Epworth League, an organization planned by 
the representatives of the five great societies 
for Methodist young people, and designed for 
the unification of all in form and name and 
spirit, entering upon its exalted mission, finds 
already in existence many noble societies 
strongly intrenched in the affections of a 
numerous membership, abiding in loyalty to 
Christ and to Methodism, and recognized as 
efficient agencies in the work for which they 
were instituted. 

Now, it was the earnest hope of those in- 
terested in the new society that all these or- 
ganizations might soon be transformed into 
Epworth Leagues, if possible. Change of 
name is not absolutely required, if only the 
society will come into close affiliation with the 
general office at Chicago. It ought to be 
easy, however, for any one of these organiza- 
tions, being purely Methodistic and denomina- 
tional, to change its form slightly and adopt 
the name and plaii of the Epworth League ; 
that this is very desirable needs no argument. 



42 



FF WCR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



But there are still other young people's 
societies that are undenominational, and 
King's Daugh- thesc have their local organi- 
zations in our churches, as, for 
example, the societies of King's Daughters 
and Christian Endeavor. Now, shall these 
societies be given up ? By no means, except 
Christian En- ^^sc of piircly voliuitary sur~ 
deavor. TendeT in preference for the complete 

plans of the new society^ While the Epworth 
League is not second to these in any respect 
as an agency for the religicus instruction and 
training of the young, and has many other 
features which these have not, they ought to 
be encouraged, since, besides being in them- 
selves noble associations, they form a link 
between Methodism and other denominations. 
Nor should they be asked to change their 
names. 

It cannot be denied, however, that the young 
people in these societies ought to be work- 
ing in harmony with so broad and worthy a 
Methodist young people's society as the 
Epworth League. Many King's Daughters 
love the King none the less because they love 
the Methodist Episcopal Church in which 



HOW TO ESTABLISH THE LEAGUE. 43 

they have been reared. These want to be 
numbered in the same army and march under 
the same banner with other young people of 
Methodism. Many members of Christian En- 
deavor societies love Methodism and want 
to be trained in her doctrines and usages and 
catch her denominational spirit. Many mem- 
bers of these noble fellowships are asking that 
room shall be made for them in the Epworth 
League and that at the same time in some way 
they may preserve their organization as King's 
Daughters and Christian Endeavor societies. 

One solution of the problem would be this ; 
namely, Establish the Epworth, let all the 
young people join it, and if a ^ ^^^^^^^ 
Christian Endeavor or a King's 
Daughters society already exist, let that soci- 
ety continue as such, and take the depart- 
ment of spiritual work, and thus be responsible 
for the devotional meeting Sunday evening 
and all other items in that department. The 
department of literary work might also arrange 
with that society to be responsible for the 
programme of the monthly meeting for Bible 
study. 

If there be a rare instance where both a 



44 



EP WOR TH LEA G UE WORKER S. 



Christian Endeavor and King's Daughters So- 
ciety exist, the former may take the de- 
partment of Christian work and the King's 
Daughters the department of social work, 
with its introduction of members, systematic 
visitation, social purity, temperance, and 
care of the junior league, or organizations 
Assignment of fo^* t)oys and girls. By such an 

departments. - 11 .1 1 

arrangement all the young people 
in any Church will be brought into harmo- 
nious and delightful fellowship in the work of 
that particular Church, while the undenomina- 
tional societies will yet continue their exist- 
ence and remain as golden links binding 
together the young people of the several de- 
nominations ; thus hastening the day when 
all shall be one in Christ, even as he and the 
Father are one. 

If this work of unification is to be con- 
summated it must be by effort and sacri- 
fice. Members of the Oxford League keenly 
regrret the loss of their name. The same is 

true of the Alliance, the Christian 

Object gained . . 

worth the sacri- Lca^ue, aud Other or^janizations. 

fice. ^ ' ^ 

But these sacrifices should be 
made and ought to be regarded as only trivial 



HOW TO ESTABLISH THE LEAGUE. 



45 



ill comparison with the magnificent results 
contemplated and which now promise to be 
fully realized. Better than the perpetuation 
of any favorite name of any society will be 
the gathering into one great organization such 
as the Epworth League the million and a half 
of young people in Methodism. 
4 



46 



EP IVOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



IV. 

MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES. 

The number of meetings to be held by any 
local chapter and their general character is our 
next problem. In some instances a monthly 
meeting only will be practicable, but under ordi- 
nary conditions, besides a devotional service on 
Sunday evening, a weekly meeting 

Number of 

meetings desir- can be held for social and literary 

able, 

culture. One of these meetings 
may be every m.onth devoted largely to reports 
of departments and other business ; but it is bet- 
ter to devote a little time each evening to busi- 
ness, always keeping in mind that too much 
business will seriously interfere with the higher 
work of the league. 

Special care should be exercised to avoid 
wasting time over parliamentary forms and 
Parliamentary usagcs. If cxpcrience lu this llue 
forms. thought dcsirablc a " parlia- 

mentary meeting " may be held, in which the 
entire evening shall be devoted to a study and 



MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES. 47 



a conflict in purely parliamentary tactics; and 
such a meeting can be made very instructive. 

With the aid of orderly procedure each 
department can make a brief weekly report 
of its work, and this will have a Department re- 
tonic effect upon the departments 
themselves, besides being of interest and profit 
to the league. 

The weekly meetings may be literary and 
biblical alternately, or as follows: literary, 
scientific, biblical. These terms perhaps suf- 
ficiently indicate the character of the meet- 
ings, save that the biblical meeting is to be 
devoted not only to Bible study, but also to 
the study of church history, doc- 

Alternatlon of 

trihes, denominational peculiarities, week-night 

' ' meetings. 

Methodism, its history, polity, and 
usages. Another order would be : literary, 
biblical, scientific, social — the last named be- 
ing devoted chiefly to business, reports, etc., 
and social enjoyment Still another plan 
would be to have only the two meetings, lit- 
erary and biblical, and hold these alternately. 

The department of spiritual work should 
be the committee on the devotional meeting, 
and may also be in charge of the programme 



48 EP WOR TH LEAG UE WORKERS. 

of the biblical meeting, and the department 
, of literary work, the committee on 

Thedepart- ^ 

mfuees''on*'pro- Programme of literary and scien- 
grammes. ^.^^ meetings.'^ The department 
of social work, or of mercy and help, may 
be allowed fifteen minutes of two meetings 
each month. These committees must be held 
reponsible for the programme, and should be 
both so fertile in resources and so prepared 
for emergencies that in event of failure on the 
part of any persons appointed to duty they 
may promptly supply the defi- 

Committees re- . 111 

sponsible for cicucy and make the meetmg a suc- 

programme. 

cess. They should, however, care- 
fully plan the programme, and assign its differ- 
ent parts to the members- asked to participate, 
two weeks, if possible, in advance of the 
meeting. Failure to give ample time for 
preparation will often explain the failure of the 
programme. 

Something unforeseen may occur, however, 
to prevent the presence of those whose partic- 
ipation is necessary to the evening's successful 



* The department of entertainment H'ill furnish the spe- 
cial music for all meetings, vocal and instrumental, always 
consulting tlie other committees as to their need. 



MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES. 49 



work. Happy will it be for the leagues in 
such cases if some member of the ^ , 

Co nfronting 

committee is so well informed upon ^'"^'"s^""^^- 
the topic as to be able, in a few minutes' famil- 
iar talk, to atone for the missing essay, or 
another so accomplished as to supply a reci- 
tation which has been made ready and held in 
reserve for just such an^exigency. 

Numerous are the devices to which resort 
may be had when the programme falls to pieces, 
as sometimes it will after the best -r, . ... 

Devices for lit- 

efforts at preparation. If the meet- ''^"'^ 
ing be literary perhaps a general exercise in 
State affairs will be proposed, when some bright 
member will be appointed to the role of school- 
teacher, and the league will be challenged to 
name the counties of the State, the chief cities, 
rivers, and mountain chains, and locate them ; 
also to mention the leading products, agricult- 
urally and industrially, and to recall the prin- 
cipal facts of its history, its early settlement, 
entrance into the Union, and especially the 
men conspicuous in that history — statesmen, 
soldiers, journalists, manufacturers, clergymen, 
physicians, lawyers, and all others of distinc- 
tion. 



50 



EP WOR Til LEA G UE WORKERS. 



A similar exercise in national affairs will 
serve for another emergency. The names of 
the presidents, the wars of the republic and 
their causes, the ten greatest statesmen, au- 
thors, orators, generals, explorers, the chief ex- 
Round Robin, ports and imports, etc. A Round 
Robin " will often prove valuable in supplying 
a general failure of a programme. In this all 
members of the league are expected to con- 
tribute something as they answer to the roll- 
call, quoting a poetic or prose passage, giv- 
ing a good thought from some author, 
stating a recent scientific discovery, describ- 
ing an industrial process, calling attention to 
the death of some prominent man and giving 
facts concerning him, narrating some stir- 
ring incident, telling a good story, reviving 
some brilliant witticism, or making some other 
contribution worthy of the attention of those 
present, and striving to avoid descending to the 
trivial or commonplace. 

If the programme of a biblical meeting fail 
resort may be had to a blackboard exercise on 

. . ,., the books of the Bible — their num- 

Devices for bib- 

lical meeting. |^^^^ ^^^^-^ charactcr— h istorical, pro- 
phetical, poetical, etc. — their names, and how 



MEE TINGS A ND CO MM I T TEE S. 5 1 



to remember their order. Or a kindred exer- 
cise may be enjoyed in a brief study of Pal- 
estine. Three lines, almost parallel, may mark 
the sea-coast, the mountain ridge, and the 
Jordan Valley. On the easternmost line may 
be located the Dead Sea, the Sea of Tiberias, 
and Lake Merom ; on the middle line, Jerusa- 
lem and Samaria, and on the western line, Gaza, 
Tyre, Sidon, and Mt. Carmel. From these 
points all others of interest will easily be 
located. 

By these and kindred devices the commit- 
tees that are responsible for the success of the 
meeting will be able to meet all emergencies 
arising from failure of programme. 

Too much emphasis cannot be placed upon 

the importance of faithful, intelligent, efficient 

work on the part of committees. The Valuable serv- 
ice of commit- 

standing committees have it in their tees, 
power, for their term of office, to mark the 
league meetings with failure or success. The 
president and cabinet should therefore do their 
most judicious work in their selection, call 
them all together in a meeting soon after their 
appointment, and seek to impress them with 
their responsibility for the success of the 



52 



EP WOR TH LEA G UE WORKER S. 



meetings, offer them the best suggestions as 
to their Hnes of work, and endeavor to kindle 
their enthusiasm and enlist their support. 
The committees, on the other hand, appreciat- 
ing their grave responsibilities, should strive in 
harmony, and at the same time with whole- 
some emulation, to realize the loftiest and 
noblest results in the meetings as well as in 
their respective departments of work, remem- 
bering always that alert, industrious, tactful 
committees can win victories for any young 
people's society even in the face of innumer- 
able obstacles. 



LITERAR V AND SCIENTIFIC. 



53 



V. 

LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS— PRO- 
GRAMMES. 

Pkogkammes of literary and scientific meet- 
ings should be framed with due regard to 
three objects. They should afford ^ 

•> J Programmes 

true mental discipline, intellectual -'^'■''^ "^j^^^^- 
stimulus, and acquisition of useful knowledge. 
Entertainment is a secondary object, and to 
this end they should be marked with pleasing 
variety, and, while avoiding either buffoonery 
or triviality, should make room for genuine and 
innocent humor. The reading of one of 
Charles Lamb's Essays of Elia or a short 
story from Bret Harte, or an extract from Mark 
Twain may brighten a programme and do no 
harm. 

Recitations, readings, debates, and essays, 
interspersed with music, will make up the 
usual programme. The debates, 

Debates, 

avoiding political topics, should deal 

with modern, living questions, and subjects of 

local interest. 



54 EP IVOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



In the preparation of essays the widest 
range of subjects is open, but members should 
be urred to write upon those sub- 

• Essays not ^ 

burl^^eve?- J^^^^ ^^'^^^^ '^'^^^-^^ ^^^^y ^-OSt fa- 

day topics, mihar. Young people who shrink 

from furnishing papers because unable to write 
upon purely literary themes may be led to 
describe in their own way those things with 
which they have a daily familiarity. A young 
jeweler can tell what he knows about " dia- 
monds," locating the diamond fields 

Diamonds. . r i 111 m • 

or mmes oi the world, descnbmg 
the methods of gathering the jewels, the proc- 
esses of preparation for the market, their uses 
in the industrial arts, sketching some of the 
most noted and giving their value, exhibit- 
ing specimens polished and in the rough, and 
finally giving tests for distinguishing between 
the genuine and the spurious. 

" Gold watches " — the history and process 
of their manufacture, the time-keeping tests 
Gold watches, to whicli they are subjected, the 
number made annually, the proper care of a 
watch, and kindred matters — will form the easy 
topic for another paper or familiar talk from 
our league member who is in this line of trade. 



LITER A R V AND SCIENTIFIC. 



55 



" Lumber " — where it comes from, the kind 
used for different purposes, quantity used, va- 
rieties of wood, some account of Lumber. 

trees, their locality and habit — may serve as a 
topic for one in this business. 

''Coal" — the coal-fields of the world, the 
several kinds of coal and their uses, mining, its 
perils and cost — will be well treated by the 
coal-dealer. 

Petroleum " — its discovery, its transporta- 
tion, its refinement into parafifine for candles, 
vaseline, lubricating and illuminate Petroleum, 
ing oil, and carbon for electric Hghts — is also 
commended. 

A dry-goods clerk may look up " silks " — 
the silk-worm and its work, manufacture of 
silk, methods of dyeinsr-^or ^'cot- c-n a 

' J <=> Silks and cot- 

ton " — the cotton-plant, a southern 
plantation, methods of manufacture, the cot- 
ton product of this country, and varieties of 
cotton goods. 

" Banking" — how banks are practically con- 
ducted, exchanges, custom-house work, the 
volume of their business — or Banking, 
"money" will prove good subjects for the 
young banker. 



56 



EP IVOR TH LEA G UE 



WORKERS. 



A telegraph operator may bring a small bat- 
tery and instrument before the League and 
Telegraphy, discuss " telegraphy" — -construction 
and history of the telegraph, its commercial 
and military uses, and the Morse alphabet, 
with some account of ocean cables. 

"A grain of wheat " may attract the miller, 
who will place upon the blackboard a figure of 
Grain of wheat, the interior of a grain, describe pro- 
cesses of milling, storing in elevators, kinds of 
flour, and methods for testing their excellence. 

A physician could choose from a great va- 
riety of subjects, among which would be the 
A physician's foUowing; namely, 'Miygiene," ''the 
topics. lungs " — their expansion and their 

care ; " the human skull and its contents," 
discussing the white and gray matter of the 
brain, and exhibiting in illustration of these 
the brain of a calf or a sheep ; the *' eye ; " the 
** ear ;" the " nervous system; "the ''circula- 
tion of the blood." 

A recapitulation of the " news of the week " 
News of the ^0^0 Competent person is both 
enjoyable and profitable. Extem- 
pore speeches upon subjects given to speakers 
after appearing before the audience, or with 



LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC. 57 

an allowance of five minutes' meditation, af- 
ford a sharp mental discipline. 

Composite declamation, in which three or 
four declaim on different themes at the same 
time, furnishes diversion for the ^ . , 

' Composite dec- 

audience and severely tests the 
speakers. 

The scientific meetings will call for essays 
or familiar talks on varied topics, some of 
which will be purely scientific and scientific and 

economic sub- 

others mamly economic. The forces jects. 
in a sunbeam ; a drop of water traced from 
the sea to the mountains and back Sunbeam, 
again ; the bees, and how they fertilize the 
flowers ; the ants and their habits ; electricity ; 
the manufacture of glass ; domestic ventila- 
tion ; aerial navigation ; oiling the waves ; the 
strata through which a line would pass if let 
fall to the center of the earth from the locality 
where the league is holding its Parasites, 
meetings ; parasites; light ; foods ; trade-winds ; 
the Gulf Stream ; Arctic exploration ; snow- 
crystals ; icebergs and glaciers ; the Snow-crystais. 
aurora borealis, are excellent themes. Tyn- 
dall's Forms of Water, Miss Buckley's Fairy 
Land of Science, Appleton's Science Primers^ 



§8 



EP WORTH LEAGUE WORKERS. 



and kindred books will be found helpful to 
young people in the study of the element- 
Easy text-books principles of physical science, 
on science. ^^^^^ carcfully reading Faraday's 
History of a Candle one ought to be able to 
light a candle, set it before the league, and 
give a half-hour's interesting talk upon it. 

If some of these and similar subjects, seem 
beyond the reach of the members of the society 
there are in almost every community profes- 
sional men who would readily respond to an 
invitation to address the young people upon 
these or kindred themes, and such an address 
once a month would give variety, furnish valu- 
able information, and stimulate study. 

In order to secure a more general participa- 
tion resort may be had to familiar devices, 
^ . such as spellincr-bees, pronouncins^ 

Pronouncing ir & ' c> 

matches. matchcs, and roll-call responded to 

with a quotation either of a general character 
or from some author previously announced. 

Character studies are commended, as even- 
Character ^^"^S^ \N\\\\ Lowell, Irving, Prescott, 
studies. Tennyson, Shakespeare, Scott, 

Longfellow, Browning, Macaulay, and Milton, 
"Helen Hunt" Jackson, and Will Carleton, 



LITER AR V AND SCIENTIFIC. 



59 



with a few brief essays sketching the life, 
character, and works of the author, Tennyson, 
attended with selections from his writings. 

Franklin as an author. Franklin as a scientist, 
Franklin as a diplomat, would furnish themes 
for an instructive programme. In Franklin, 
answer to roll-call, quotations should be had 
from the sayings of Poor Richard. 

Henry M. Stanley, his life, his character, his 
successive expeditions into the heart of the 
Dark Continent, would evoke many Stanley, 
a thrilling incident, call up many an interesting 
fact, and kindle admiration for his intrepid 
spirit and splendid heroism and enduring faith 
in God. 

So excellent are the suggestions made by the 
Rev. P. Ross Parrish in an article on Septem- 
ber Suggestions'' that we cannot "September 
forbear quoting: suggLfw'- 

"Timeliness is, in our judgment, one impor- 
tant point of success in our work. ' Be instant 
in season' as well as out of season. Keep an 
eye open for memorial dates and be ready to 
* keep the feast.' 

" Sometimes a very obscure and incidental 
hint will prove invaluable. Last fall our Society 



60 EP WOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



noted that the Swiss of Detroit were preparing 
to celebrate the 580th anniversary of their 
national independence on Nov. 17. 

At the next meeting of that Society some 
excellent selections on Switzerland from the 
Evening with Gospel iu all Lands, together with 
the Swiss. ^^^^ three Swiss songs, added 
value and variety to the programme. 

"We think this eveninj^ amono; the inhabitants 
of the rugged peaks of Switzerland points the 
way to a whole series of kindred entertain- 
ments ; namely, one or more evenings with 
each of the great nations and leading peoples 
of the earth. This might be extended indefi- 
nitely by taking up the mission fields in turn. 

" Have an evening with the Scotch. Let 
several short papers be prepared on various 
Evening with phascs of the theme, including 
the Scotch. glimpses at Scotch history, literature, 
customs, religion, and eminent characters. Sing 
the 'Blue Bells of Scotland,' 'Bonnie Charlie,' 
' Better Bide a Wee,' ' Annie Laurie,' and 
other favorites of the heather. Have a Scotch- 
man exhibit — and possibly play — the bagpipe. 
Follow the entertainment with refreshments 
composed of characteristic Scotch dishes. 



LITERAR Y AND SCIENTIFIC. 



61 



What could afford a more instructive and en- 
joyable programme ? 

" In like manner pay your respects to the 
Emerald Isle, Germany, Russia, Italy, France, 
the Land of the Midnight Sun, etc. 

September is one of the most charming 
months of the year. If you want to read the 
raptures of the poets concerning this month 
and its accompaniments send for the Septem- 
ber number of Through tJic Year zvith the Poets, 
Nothing is more fitting than a harvest home 
service at this season of the year. 

" September, being the birth-month (1757) of 
Marquis de Lafayette, would be a good time 
to spend an evenins: with the „ . . , 

£ o livening with 

French. This would be very season- French, 
able in view of the current exposition and the 
interest Franceward. In September, also, 
Mendelssohn was born — a good date for a con- 
cert or Sept. 17(1787) the Constitution 
of the United States was adopted, and is hence- 
forth Constitution Day. Appropriate addresses, 
readings, songs, and a general glimpse at the 
civil government of our nation would be 
apropos on or near that date. 

*'Sept. 21 (1832) Walter Scott died. One 
5 



62 EP WORTH LEAGUE WORKERS. 



evening spent in recalling his life and writings 
would give quite a knowledge of the author of 
Marmion, The Lady of the Lake, Lvanhoe and 
the other Waverley Novels. 

Sept. 22 (1862) Abraham Lincoln issued the 
immortal Emancipation Proclamation. Try an 
hour with ' our brother in black/ as suggested 
in our August article. 

Sept. 26 is the Hebrew New Year. Spend 
an evening with the Jews, their origin, history, 
literature, present status, and probable future. 

Sept. 30 (1770) George Whitefield died ; give 
an evening to brief essays on six of the great 
preachers of the ages." 

Topics appropriate for essays and confer- 
ences are almost innumerable. Among these 
Nun^erous mcution the following ! The 
csay topics. p^^.-^^ Youug Mcn in our day; 

the Importance of Bible Study as a Literary 
Exercise; the Value of the Reading Habit and 
How to Form it ; the Church as a Helper of 
Young People; True Social Life; the Best 
Use to Make of Sunday ; on Spending Week 
Evenings Profitably; Daily Devotions; Prepara- 
tion for Divine Service ; Consecration of the 
Body; the Possibilities of Heroism among 



LITERAR Y AND SCIENTIFIC, 63 



Young People in These Times ; Our Field, 
Our Mottoes, Our League, Our Work. 

Evenings in foreign lands suggest stories 
of travel, facts pertaining to the climate, 
products and people of the single E,,,i„g, 
country chosen for the evening, as f^^^^'S" 
Japan, Sandwich Islands, Australia, together 
with such reproduction of costumes and home- 
life of the native population as may be readily 
prepared. 

Courses of reading should be earnestly en- 
couraged even when not pursued by the entire 
membership. These afford the ad- „ , 

Courses of 

vantages of consecutive study of reading, 
related subjects, besides furnishing the stimulus 
of united and co-operative effort. They are of 
manifest value to the meetings, constantly 
offering, as they do, material for the programmes. 
One of the league courses may be adopted, or 
the more extensive and varied course of the 
Chautauqua Literary and Scientific J^eague and 

Chautauqua 

Circle, and in either case the books courses, 
may be secured at a remarkably small expense. 
More extended courses upon one general sub- 
ject may be in some instances preferable where 
the members of a chapter have access to good 



64 



EP WOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



libraries, thus being able to read many books 
which they are unable to purchase. A specimen 
course of this character on " English History," 
Course in P^'^P^^'ed by tlic author for a young 
English history. pgQpj^'g socicty in his own congre- 
gation, and one that was pursued with interest, 
is given in the Appendix. 

For the encouragement of such courses of 
study some local societies have prepared 
examination papers and diplomas. The Young 
People's Lyceum at Canton, O., gave to its 
students certificates or diplomas printed in 
black and gold on parchment paper with the 
following general form : 

DIPLOMA FOR COURSE OF STUDY. 
April. Finis coronat opus. 1888. 

OF 

This certificate is given as a testii}ioftial to 

ivho has completed the First Year's Course 0/ Lyceum Studies 
in English History and Literature., and passed a satisfactory 
examination in the same. 

President, 

Counselor. 

Committee on Education. 

Canton, O. 



LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC. 



65 



A league library should contain a good 
encyclopedia and other standard works of 
reference in general literature, art, a league 
music, and science, and should be library, 
well supplied with books treating the history, 
doctrines, and biographies of Methodism and 
of the general Church, as well as choice works 
on the Christian life and practical volumes on 
Christian work. Better than all this is a 
church library in which the league may have a 
department, and to which the entire . , , 

•I^ ' A church 

church may have access. To the library, 
formation and constant enrichment of such a 
library the congregation, by an annual public 
collection, the Sunday-school, the league, 
and the missionary societies may contribute. 
Occasionally an entertainment may be given, 
the cost of admission to which will be a good 
and acceptable volume or the price of the 
same. A church library should be open certain 
evenings for consultation, and there should be 
hours during the week when books may be 
obtained for circulation. 

In connection with such a library a reading- 
room may sometimes be opened Reading-room, 
where newspaper and magazine literature, 



66 



EP IVOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



secular and religious, is accessible, the super- 
vision being intrusted to a committee the 
different members of which shall be in charge 
of the room successive evenings, maintaining 
the orderliness and quiet absolutely essential 
to such an undertaking. Such a room will prove 
particularly helpful to young men who in large 
towns and cities live in boarding-houses and 
miss the genial companionships of the old home. 

Night-schools are sometimes conducted to 
advantage under the auspices of a young 
Night-schools, pcoplc's socicty, a competent in- 
structor meeting his classes twice each week 
or oftener, and giving instruction in art, 
German, French, some branch of physical 
science or kindred line of study. 

A league cabinet or museum maybe fostered 
under the care of one of the departments and 
made an object of effort on the 

A league 

cabinet. ^^^^ of all the youug people. Here 

may be deposited geological specimens from 
the immediate vicinity, but especially oriental 
curios, photographs, idols, and anything reflect- 
ing light upon manners and customs in mission 
fields, as well as relics of denominational in- 
terest. 



LITER A R Y AND SCIENTIFIC. 



67 



The stereopticon is invaluable in the study 
of foreign countries, and various departments 
of knowledcre : fossil remains, insect , , 

o ' Use of the 

life, architecture, comets, phenom- ^'^-^p'^^^-- 
ena of eclipses, the pyramids, the catacombs, 
these are only specimen subjects that may be 
invested with peculiar charm by aid of such an 
instrument. Every league should either own 
or frequently have the use of a good stereop- 
ticon. 

A Chapter paper read monthly, managed by 
a corps of contributors, will furnish rich en- 
tertainment and supply constant a chapter 
stimulus to the meetings. 

The critic has an important service to render, 
but his work is so delicate that this office had 
better be left permanently vacant The critic, 
except where one is found possessing the rare 
genius requisite to the task of furnishing 
pointed and helpful criticism and suggestion 
without offensive personality, so commonly an 
unfortunate accompaniment of such criticism. 



6S 



EPWOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS, 



VI. 

BIBLE STUDY. 

Bible study will form an important part 
of the work in every well-regulated young 
T^T, . • people's societ\^ Divine truth 

The truth vs\- r r J 

carnated. lodged in the soul connects itself 
through the desires and fears, the hopes and 
the conscience, with all the conduct of life. 
To win its victorious sway over the world the 
truth must be incarnated in living men and 
women, and derive its power to constrain and 
subdue from contact with living, fervent 
hearts. But before that truth can be incar- 
nated it must first be apprehended, seized, 
studied, loved. 

The study of the word directly, stripped of 
all glosses and comments, is of first impor- 
tance. This will be done in the 
quiet hour at home, and in the de- 
votional service in Bible readings, and in kindred 
ways under the direction of leaders. With a lit- 
tle effort and at a trifling cost the scheme of 
study devised by the International Bible- 



Scheme of Bible 
study. 



BIBLE STUDY. 



69 



Reading Association of the Sunday-School 
Union or the daily Bible readings for the 
League may be introduced and nearly all the 
members of the League, and, in fact, the 
greater part of the Church, led to read daily 
the same selected portion of Scripture. Mem- 
bers of the Epworth League should be true 
Bereans, daily searching for themselves the 
Scriptures, and daily testing the promises of 
the word, to see whether these True Bereans. 
things be so. The Bible is God's granary, and 
from it the Christian disciple should bring 
forth daily supplies for his spiritual suste- 
nance. From this armory, where glitter no 
carnal weapons, the youthful Christian must 
derive his equipment with which to fight 
against principalities and powers, and spirit- 
ual wickedness in high places." 

Collateral lines of study may be pressed to 
advantage in order to the most intelligent un- 
derstanding of the sacred oracles. 

•=> Collateral 

Here are sixty-six books or pam- 
phlets, written by forty authors, in different 
countries, and diverse languages, at sundry 
times through fifteen hundred years; and 
while all Scripture is profitable for instruction 



7(9 EP WOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 

in righteousness, and aims to thoroughly fur- 
nish unto all good works the man of God, yet 
these books differ in style and in character, 
and were written for different special purposes. 
A knowledge of the authorship of a book, the 
circumstances under which it was written, its 
plan and purpose, will greatly aid in catching 
its spirit and meaning. To promote this end 
Bible Study, is thc objcct of the meeting, and a 
few suggestions will serve to indicate its gen- 
eral character. 

An evening may be devoted to the " English 
„ ,. , Bible;" how we obtained it; how 

The tnglish ' ' 

to study it ; why we believe 
in it ; difficulties encountered in it. 

Another evening may be given to a careful 
study of the Book of Esther, with ten five- 
The book of minute essays on the following 
Esther. topics ; namely. Captivity of the 

Jews and its Results ; Description of Babylon ; 
Return of the Jews; Description of Shushan 
or Susa; Authorship and Character of the 
Book; Haman's Promotion and his Plot to 
Destroy the Jews; Haman's Defeat and Exe- 
cution ; Xerxes ; the Purim Festival ; Spirit- 
ual Teachincrs of the Book. 



BIBLE STUDY. 



71 



A study of the Book of Job will furnish 
twelve five-minute essays on the following 
topics; namely, Ur, Chaldea and ^.^^ ^^^^ 
the Chaldeans ; the Sabeans, and 
Sheba; Authorship of the Book, and When 
Written; Story of the Book; Job's Wealth; 
the Camel the Ship of the Desert ; References 
to Egyptian Life ; Job's Friends— the Ara- 
bians; Hebrew Poetry, Job, a Drama; Pas- 
sages illustrating Job's Faith and Patience; 
the Spiritual Teachings of the Book ; Job's 
Wife — a Defense. 

Ten essays on the Book of Jonah- might 
treat briefly the following: the Office of the 
Hebrew Prophet; Story of the ^^^^ 
Book; Authorship and Character J^"^^'^' 
of the Book ; Splendor and Power of Ancient 
Nineveh ; Assyrian Mythology ; Relations be- 
tween Nineveh and Israel ; Sea Monsters ; 
Effects of Jonah's Preaching; Character of 
Jonah; Spiritual Teachings of the Book. 

A similar treatment may be applied to the 
New Testament epistles — for example, the 
Epistle to the Romans ; Rome in ^, „ . , , 

' I he Epistle to 

the Age of Augustus; Early Chris- ^^^^ 

tians at Rome, their Persecutions ; the Cata- 



72 EP WOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 

combs; the Jew at Rome and elsewhere; 
Authorship of the Epistle, Date and Place of 
its Composition ; Theological Controversy be- 
tween Jews and Gentiles in the Church at 
Rome; Plan and Purpose of Paul's Epistle; 
the Ruin of Sin Depicted ; the Remedy of 
the Gospel Proclaimed ; Paul's Fitness by Birth 
and Training for his Task ; Select Readings 
from the Epistle. 

The four gospels suggest a delightful study 
in a brief treatment of the following themes: 
. Sketches successively of the four 

1 he four gos- 

P'^'- writers, Matthew, Mark, Luke, 

John ; Contrasts of the Gospels and Specific 
Purpose of Each; Harmony of the Gospels; 
the Greek Language Contrasted with the 
Hebrew ; English versions of the New Testa- 
ment ; Relation between the Old and New 
Testament ; the Christ of the Gospels. 

Most of the Old Testament books, and all 
of the New, may be treated with profit in a 
similar manner, and the result will be the 
birth of new interest in the minor prophets 
and smaller epistles, which are too often passed 
by with indifference. Better far such a treat- 
ment as is here outlined — followed often by a 



BIBLE STUDY. 73 

general discussion — than a formal address by 
one speaker, however competent, since the 
members of the league are led to do the work 
and so reap the benefit. 

Besides the essays indicated, on the same 
evening there wmU be room for twenty ques- 
tions, which, havino^ been previous- ^ , 

^ ' ^ ir Twenty Bible 

ly distributed, will be answered ?^enty"' mem. 
by as many different members 
of the league, on topics like the following, 
namely: Size and Contents of the Ark of the 
Covenant; Greatest Length and Width of Pal- 
estine ; Exploits of Samson ; Authorship of 
the Acts ; Description of Nazarites and Names 
of Some; Dimensions of the Dead Sea; the 
Month in Jewish Calendar corresponding to 
October; Population of Jerusalem to-day and 
in time of Christ. Such questions may be 
multiplied ad infinitum, and one of these will 
be accepted by the timid who would not un- 
dertake an essay. With twenty persons answer- 
ing such questions, and ten furnishing brief 
essays as above indicated, with others rendering 
musical selections to enliven here and there the 
programme, as many as forty members may 
participate in the exercises of a single evening. 



74 EP WORTH LEAGUE WORKERS. 



Character studies will be found very profit- 
able, bringing under review Moses, David, 
Study of Bible Solomon, Absalom, Miriam, Sam- 
chara^er. ^^^^ g^^j^ Jonathan, Peter, Thomas, 

John, Lydia, Paul, and others prominent in 
the Scriptures. In one evening a study of 
the Twelve Apostles would have the merit of 
bringing into contrast their several traits. 

Bible geography opens a field of great im- 
portance and of delightful interest. An even- 
„ , incr in Jerusalem, an evenincr in 

Sacred geog- o J ' o 

raphy. Damascus, an evening in Tyre, an 
evening in Shechem, an evening among the 
sacred mountains, an evening on the rivers of 
Palestine, taking as our general guide Whit- 
ney's valuable Hand-book of Bible Geography, 
would be full of charm and profit. 

P^ive evenings might be devoted to the 
study of manners and customs as illustrated 
, successively in Matthew, Mark, 

Manners and ' ' 

customs. L^j^g^ j^^j^j^^ ^j^g ^^^g^ having 

Dr. Freeman's valuable hand-book to illu- 
mine the subject. Palestine exploration as 
Palestine ex- Outlined by Bishop Vincent, and 
pioration. ^-^^j y^^^ ^j^^ suggcstlons and lit- 
erature furnished by his pen, would be a gen- 



BIBLE STUDY. 75 

uine delight. A Journey from New York to 
Jerusalem " serves finely for an evening's study, 
brincrino; forward the best routes, seasons of 
travel, fares, objects of interest on the way, 
and in the holy city. The life of Christ may 
with great profit and inspiration be studied in 
thirteen successive evenings, following the plan 
of the thirteen exercises of Dr. „, , 

The life of 

Hurlbut's Chautauqua text-book on 
the subject, which may be furnished at a 
trifling cost to any member of the league. 
It is difficult to name any line of study more 
full of instruction and incentive than this. 

Occasionally a portion of an evening may be 
given with profit to the proper names of the 
Bible, their correct pronunciation Sundry topics, 
and meanings. A study in the natural history 
of the Bible — animals, plants, minerals — with 
the spiritual meaning of any, will be full of 
profit. The art of alphabetical writing and 
the preparation and care of ancient manu- 
scripts ; the tabernacle ; the priesthood ; the 
synagogue ; the temple, Solomon's, Zerubba- 
bel's, Herod's, attended by an actual building 
of Solomon's by cards of pasteboard, carefully 
prepared with respect to relative dimensions ; 



76 EP WOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



the holy of holies, the ark, mercy-seat, cheru- 
bim, Shekinah, and significance of each ; gov- 
ernment of the Jewish people under judges, 
kings, priests, and Sanhedrin ; the Jewish festi- 
vals, passover, pentecost, feast of trumpets, feast 
of tabernacles, year of jubilee, etc ; religious 
sects, Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes ; Script- 
Reiigious sects, ure coius, mcasurcs and weights ; 
the sacred numerals, three, four, seven, twelve, 
with their multiples, and their spiritual mean- 
ings ; the names and titles of Christ ; the names 
and titles of the Church ; the apocryphal 
books ; versions of the Bible — the Peshito, 
Septuagint, Targums, Vulgate, and modern 
versions, as Wiclif's, Tyndale's, Cranmer's and 
Archseoiogy. otlicrs ; archasology, as the discov- 
eries in Babylon and Nineveh ; Egyptology, 
as the finding of the mummied Pharaohs on 
the Upper Nile. These and kindred subjects 
may be so analyzed, apportioned, and simpli- 
fied that their study may be made fascinating, 
and large numbers of young people may be 
led to actively participate in the work. All 
this means thought and tact and patience on 
the part of those who direct the programmes, go 
before the young people and outline their work. 



BIBLE STUDY. . 77 

Only one suggestion more can be offered in 
this chapter. The Bible lays claim to a super- 
natural character. If it be indeed Evidences, 
the word of God it must come to us attended 
with evidences fully establishing its claim. 
Rearing lofty standards of holy living, it places 
itself athwart the pathway of human passion, 
and is therefore made the object of fierce as- 
sault. Wicked men would be glad to believe 
its teachings false. They therefore originate 
and promulgate arguments designed to over- 
throw its claims. They deny that it is a rev- 
elation from God, Besides, many honest and 
careful thinkers encounter difficulties, and, 
for reasons not to be compassed here are dis- 
posed to reject the supernatural altogether. 
Now this skepticism pervades much of the 
literature of to-day, and is peculiarly dangerous 
to young people. And as a matter of fact 
thousands of young men reared in Christian 
homes, but unconsciously affected by the 
doubt coloring their reading and the conversa- 
tion to which they listen, are slowly slipping 
their cables and drifting away from the faith 
in their mother's Bible and their father's God. 

A partial remedy for this is to be found in a 
C 



78 EPWORTH LEAGUE WORKERS. 

careful study of the subject of Christian evi- 
dences. For such a study Bishop Vincent's 
short and easy text-book on this subject will be 
found invaluable, supplemented, as each " ex- 
ercise " should be, with comments from the 
president or pastor, or by brief essays and 
familiar talks on the sub-topics treated. Such 
a study will serve to bring into clear light the 
immovable foundations on which the Book of 
God abides eternally secure, and will not only 
fortify our young people against the assaults 
of skepticism, but equip them with weapons 
for a vigorous defense of their faith in the 
Monarch Volume — the word of our God which 
" endureth forever." 



STUDIES IN METHODISM. 



VII. 

STUDIES IN METHODISM. 

If a denominational young people's society 
is to be maintained it follows that cenomination- 
the promotion of intelligent de- 

promoted. 

nominational loyalty is not only legitimate but 
important and necessary. Beyond the control 
of the society by the church authorities there 
are urgent considerations respecting the re- 
ligious life and usefulness of the young peo- 
ple themselves that make imperative a study 
of the traditions and usages of the Church. 

In the Epworth League the articles of re- 
ligion of the Methodist Episcopal ^^^j^i^^ 
Church should be brought under 
careful review. The doctrines of justification, 
regeneration, sanctification, witness of the 
Spirit, atonement, the nature of Christ, the at- 
tributes of God — these and similar subjects 
may be studied, the leader using Binney's 
Coinpend and exacting proof texts from the 
Scriptures, 



so 



EP IVOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



Ecclesiastical history is another subject of 
importance. General church his- 

Church historj-. 

tory may be treated, studying such 
topics as the Apostolic Period, the Great 
Persecutions, Constantine, Monasticism and 
Convent Life To-day, Mohammedanism, Greg- 
ory the Great, Hildebrand, the Crusades, the 
Reformation, Luther and Melanchthon, the 
English Reformation, the Huguenots, the 
Wesleyan Reviv^al. This will prepare the way 
Histon^ of En- for an exercise in English Method- 

glish Method- . 

ism. ism. " /\ rireside lour to the 

Epworth Rectory " might embrace the ocean 
voyage ; the journey from Liverpool to Ep- 
worth ; description of the home at Epworth ; 
the ancestry of the Wesley family : Samuel 
Wesley, Susannah Wesley, John W^esley, 
Charles Wesley. 

A Wesley celebration held by the young 
people of East Main Street Church, Norwich, 
Conn., June 13, 1888, the one hundred and 
eighty-fifth birth-day of John Wesley, used 
the following programme, which was found to 
be very interesting. We append it as admir- 
ably illustrative of an excellent method for 
such historic study: 



STUDIES IN METHODISM. 



SI 



Hymn — " Young men and maidens, raise." (Read), 
Scriptures — Field texts of Mr. Wesley. 
Prayer. 
Symposium : 
Susannah, Wesley's Mother. 
Epworth, his Birthplace. 
The Charter-house Gownboy. 
Hymn — " Ye servants of God." (Read). 
Field Preaching and the Great Awakening. 
Mr. Wesley and the Children. 
Meeting the Mobs. 
Kymn — "Light of those whose dreary dwelling." 
Mr. Wesley as a Traveler. 
Incidents in Wesley's Life. 
Hymns of the Wesleys. 
John W^esley's Hymn — "Ho, every one that thirsts, draw 
nigh." (Sung). 

An oil painting of Mr. Wesley and a rare 
engraving of his Rescue from the Burning 
Rectory " were exhibited. 

An hour may be spent with the topic, 
"How the Wesleys Died," inter- „ , 

Howthe 

spersing the study with the hymns ^^^^^^^^ 
and sayings of the Wesleys on death and the 
future life. 

From the study of John Fletcher, George 
Whitefield, Thomas Coke, and . 

' ' American 

Other noted characters, the transi- Methodism, 
tion is easy to a view of early American 
Methodism. The early beginnings in New 



82 



EP WOR TH LEA G UE WORKER S. 



York and Maryland will introduce Philip Em- 
bury, Barbara Heck, Thomas Pilmoor, Captain 
Webb, Robert Strawbridge, and Francis As- 
bury and other worthies, while the Christmas 
Conference at Baltimore, and the great seces- 
sion of the Church, South, at the Conference of 
1844, will be two epochs between which any 
number of minor events may be chosen for 
consideration. 

A single Conference — its personnel and its 
Study of aGen- "^^'^^^ — ^^^.y bc profitably studied; 
eraVonfe'rence. exampk, the General Confer- 
ence of 1888 : Personnel of the Conference, the 
bishops, the officers, chairmen of committees, ' 
distinguished ministerial delegates, editors, 
pastors, authors, educators, distinguished lay 
delegates, senators, governors, congressmen, 
prominent business and professional men. The 
work of the Conference : i. Extension of pas- 
tor's and presiding elder's term. 2. Disposi- 
tion of question of admitting women as dele- 
gates. 3. Action on increased lay representa- 
tion. 4. Action pertaining to deaconesses. 
5. Definition of office of missionary bishop. 

In connection with this historical study an 
evening may be devoted to the hymns of 



STUDIES IN METHODISM. 



83 



Charles Wesley, a judicious selection being 
made, the history of their composi- ^^^^^ 
tion, changes, and use b-eing given, ^^^""^^^^^^^"^^y- 
and a suitable number being sung by the 
league. This exercise can be made both in- 
teresting and instructive. 

The several families of Methodism with the 
circumstances connected with the xhe families of 
rise of each, their distinguishing M^'^'^ism! 
characteristics of doctrine or polity, and sta- 
tistics of membership, will serve as the topic 
for another evening. A number of evenings 
may profitably be devoted to the (^^urch poKty 
polity of the Church ; for example, th^S- 
an evening with the Conferences, 
with essays on each — the general, annual, judi- 
cial, district, and quarterly ; an evening with 
the general officers, the bishops, editors, 
agents, society secretaries, presiding elders ; 
an evening with the local church ^^^^^ church 
officers, pastors, trustees, stewards, 
leaders, exhorters, local preachers, superin- 
tendents. The plan of twenty supplementary 
questions can here be well employed, as to 
number of trustees allowed, eligibility of 
women to office, etc. The great Church 



84 EPWORTH LEAGUE WORKERS. 



societies and their work should be studied that 
Thegreatbe. youHg people may be in intelH- 

nevoiences. ^^^^ sympathy with the schemes 
of philanthropic work as illustrated in the 
Freedmen's Aid and Southern Education, 
Church Extension, Tract, Bible, Sunday-School 
Union, Education, and Missionary societies. 
Missions, foreign and domestic, might well 
claim attention once in three 

Missions. 

months. Besides a study of the 
society, its organization and plans of work, 
the six departments of the league may be 
made responsible respectively for the latest 
tidings from the several fields assigned them, 
Japan, China, India, Europe, Africa, and South 
America, and Domestic Missions. Brief re- 
ports from these fields interspersed with 
music, and accompanied by an address on the 
country represented, might comprise the pro- 
gramme. 

The educational work of the Church should 
„, . , be considered in connection with 

EducaUonal 

the Board of Education, and atten- 
tion should be directed to early Methodism 
and its relation to education, the colleges and 
seminaries of the Church, with special refer- 



STUDIES IN METHODISM. 



85 



ence to the institutions in the vicinity of the 
League, the advantages of a college education 
under religious influences, and similar subjects. 

The peculiarities of Methodism should be 
studied ; namely. Watch-night serv- ^ . . , 

' ' o Feculiarities of 

ice, class-meetings, love-feast, pro- ^^^^hodism. 
bation, and itinerancy. The latter may be 
advantageously discussed in a debate on the 
itinerancy versus the settled pastorate as a 
system of ministerial supply. 

Such a study of denominational history, 
polity, and peculiarities is of vital Benefits of 
importance. That it must result -"hstu/y. 
not only in making better Methodists but in de- 
veloping the young people into more useful and 
more catholic Christians will hardly be denied. 

Phillips Brooks has well said : ^' In the days 
in which the younger people will live there 
will be ever-increasins^ demands for ^ , . 

<=> Quotation irom 

thoughtful saints, men and women, Primps Brooks, 
earnest, lofty, spiritual, knowing the meaning 
and the reasons of the things which they be- 
lieve, and not content to worship the God to 
whom they owe every thing with less than 
their whole nature." 

Dr. Joseph Parker writes : " Thank God for 



86 



EP WOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



the great Methodist pulpit ! When I am out- 
„ ., ^ T worn and helpless I take down a 

Tribute of Jo- ^ 

seph Parker. ^r^x^^^ of the lives of early 
Methodist preachers, and I am soon inspirited 
and encouraged. When Methodism loses its 
evangelical unction it will sink into the de- 
crepitude and heartlessness of a ghastly re- 
spectability." And in comment upon these 
words a Methodist writer says: "It becomes 
the present generation of Methodists to see 
that historic Methodism has like honorable ap- 
preciation in its own country and among its 
own adherents. If our young people will fa- 
miliarize themselves with the inspiring pages 
of our past history they may thereby catch the' 
Value of de- sacrcd fire and contribute to the 

nomin a t i o n al 

education. continuance of that evangelical 
unction which made our fathers mighty. True, 
we cannot live on past blessings, but the mem- 
ory of them may inspire us to seek for a pres- 
ent realization of that which changes not from 
aee to aee. Denominational education will 
contribute to the intensity of spiritual life and 
concentrate the power which is going to waste, 
sweeping over a too broad and undefined area 
of thought and work." 



STUDIES IN METHODISM. 



87 



In no spirit of blind zeal or bigotry should 
this denominational study be prosecuted, but 
with true Christian love for all re^ Proper spirit for 
ligious denominations, and with ^""^^ 
reverent affection for those who with sublime 
self-sacrifice, and with consummate wisdom, in 
the early twilight of the history of the Church 
toiled to lay well its foundations in truth and 
righteousness, 

Methodists may vindicate their separate ex- 
istence because of the conviction that they can 
best do certain work in their own ^ 

Promotion of in- 

way, and because of their belief that [L'naiToSd: 
Methodism comes nearest the 
apostolic Church of the first century and the 
ideal Church of the twentieth century. With 
such convictions, however, they may and 
should steadfastly promote interdenomina- 
tional good-will and fraternal love. Thus will 
his worthy successors display the spirit of the 
illustrious founder, John Wesley, who in his 
sermon on A Catholic Spirit " speaks as 
follows : 

''Tf, then, we take this word in the strictest 
sense, a man of a catholic spirit is one who, in 
the manner above mentioned, gives his hand 



88 



EP IVOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



to all whose hearts are right with his heart; 
John Wesley on One who knows how to value and to 

a catholic 

spirit. praise God for all the advantages 

he enjoys, with regard to the knowledge of the 
things of God, the true scriptural manner of 
worshiping him, and, above all, his union with 
a congregation fearing God and working 
righteousness ; one who, retaining these bless- 
ings with the strictest care, keeping them as 
the apple of his eye, at the same time loves — 
as friends, as brethren in the Lord, as members 
of Christ and children of God, as joint par- 
takers now of the present kingdom of God, and 
fellow-heirs of his eternal kingdom — all, of what- 
ever opinion, or worship, or congregation, who 
believe in the Lord Jesus Christ ; who love God 
and man, who, rejoicing to please and fearing 
to offend God, are careful to abstain from evil, 
and zealous of good works. He is the man of 
a truly catholic spirit who bears all these con- 
tinually upon his heart; who, having an un- 
speakable tenderness for their persons, and 
longing for their welfare, does not cease to 
commend them to God in prayer, as well as to 
plead their cause before men ; who speaks 
comfortably to them, and labors by all his 



STUDIES IN METHODISM. 



89 



words to strengthen their hands in God. He 
assists them to the utmost of his power in 
all things, spiritual and temporal. He is 
ready to ' spend and be spent for them ; ' yea, to 
lay down his life for tneir sakes." 



90 



EF WOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS, 



VIIL 

SOCIAL CULTURE. 

Social culture next claims attention. The 
development of social life in connection with 
the Church and under religious in- 

Responsibility 

of the depart- flucnccs is of sfrcat moment to the 

ment of mercy •=> 

and help. young pcoplc and to the Church as 
well. The departments of mercy and help 
and of social work, chiefly the latter, 
are made responsible in the Epworth 
League for suitable provision and de- 
vices looking to this result. Sociables are 
suggested, and in the conduct of these re- 
sort may sometimes be had to innocent games 
very judiciously selected from some good book 
on parlor amusements. Great caution and the 
best judgment must be exercised in this deli- 
Amusements to cate matter, and if such amuse- 

be e m p 1 o y e d 

sparingly. mcnts arc at all employed it should 
be sparingly, lest offense should be given to 
older people and lest a desire be created for 



SOCIAL CULTURE. 



91 



mere levity. Sociables must be made social ; 
but to realize this it will never be necessary to 
resort to any thing of questionable propriety. 

Sociables may be made profitable in culti- 
vating the art of conversation, the topic for the 
evening having been previously an- How socials 

may be made 

nounced and the members being profitable, 
urged to exchange views on the same. These 
social gatherings may be made a means of in- 
struction in etiquette, social forms, ceremo- 
nies, etc. Help in this direction, as well as 
mirth, may be found in a formal " reception," 
" tendered with pomp and circumstance of 
state," to some member chosen by vote of the 
league to represent a distinguished royal per- 
sonage, or one of great literary repute ; and to 
afford further variety the character and the 
occasion may be historic, and the ^.^^^.^ ^^^^ 
costumes of all present required to t\£Hil- 
conform in a general way to the 
period. Formalties of introduction, and many 
things of a similar character relating to " life's 
sweet amenities,'' may with pleasure and profit 
now and then be studiously observed in the 
social gatherings of our young people. 

The social meetings should be varied in 



92 EF WORTH LEAGUE WORj^ERS. 



character, sometimes approaching the h'terary 
An evening meeting. For instancc, " An cven- 

in the dining- 
room, ing in the dining-room" may be 

conducted by a number of young ladies. Five- 
minute- essays on " The Doily, its Origin and 
Proper Use ; " " The Knife ; " " The Fork, its 
Evolution ; " The Plate, Crockery, Fine 
Pottery," etc., and one on fruit of some kind. 
Zest will be added if doilies, plates, knives and 
forks, cut from colored tissue-paper, be dis- 
tributed, and fruit also be given to all present. 

A conversation social is to be commended, 
each member upon entering the league-room 
. . receives a card containing a list of 

A conversation o 

names of persons, with each of 
whom he is to hold a five-minutes' conversation 
upon the general topic of the evening, as pre- 
viously announced. The tapping of a bell by 
the president every five minutes indicates a 
change of partners. This may be varied by 
writing a list of topics on the. card and leaving 
partners to a chance selection. 

The Rev. P. Ross Parrish, in writing upon 
Social Work for Leagues in August, makes the 
following fertile suggestions : 

"How to bridge over the threatening chasm 



SOCIAL CULTURE. 



93 



of August and run successfully the gauntlet of 
the dog-days is a problem with all societies. 
A hope to swing a suspension-bridge over this 
gulf, or at least to cover it by a Sodai work for 

leagues in 

pontoon, is my object in giving these August, 
hints. All cannot go to the summer assemblies, 
the lakes, and woods and country ; some must 
remain at home. How can these best enjoy 
themselves and most successfully * stand by 
the stuff? ' 

In addition to the regular weekly devotional 
meeting, which should be fresh, sprightly, and 
abbreviated during this interval, we submit the 
following as agreeable coolers for the social 
work of the sweltering Society. 

August, though the least loved of months in 
our latitude, is nevertheless an important 
month in the memorials of biography and his- 
tory. There are a dozen pre-eminent dates 
which might be well and profitably observed, 
notable among which are August 5, completion 
of Atlantic cable; August 14, the invention of 
printing; August 18, death of Ole Bull; August 
22, John B. Gough born ; August 29, birthday 
of O. W. Holmes; August 31, John Bunyan 

died. Any of these would make a rare text 
7 



94 



EP WOR TH LEAGUE WORKER S. 



for a profitable hour, and part of them espe- 
cially so. 

" On or near the i8th have a musicale, intro- 
ducing all the variety of vocal and instrumental 
music your resources will afford. Have quota- 
tions on music and a short sketch of Ole Bull. 
On or near August 22 have a temperance pro- 
gramme, with a pen-picture of Gough. O. W. 
Holmes will afford a fine subject to study and 
draw upon for selections. 

" But more. Secure the August volume of 
O. F. Adams's TlirougJi the Year with the Poets; 
make and arrange a few choice selections, and 
let all hear what the Muses have found to make 
their numbers flow in August. 

" Have a sunrise walking-party, which will 
not even hinder the day's work. Devote an 
evening to old-fashioned field-sports. Give a 
boat-ride, and extemporize a marine concert 
of popular and sacred songs. 

Give an evening to a representation in song 
and recitation of a day at the farm, including 
dairy-maids and mowers. Or, if you desire 
something heavier, try ' The Hay-makers' 
Cantata.' A serenade-party sensibly conducted 
could be made a very enjoyable affair. An 



SOCIAL CULTURE. 



95 



evening with 'Our Brother in Black' can be 
conducted very properly and profitably, as we 
happen to know. Let essays, selections, a 
glimpse at our Freedmen's Aid Society work, 
and jubilee songs be the line of work, without 
any smack of end -men or a minstrel show. 

" Finally, a ' celestial concert,' or an evening 
in astronomy, can be made a taking and teach- 
ing affair. How much of rare poetry and 
beautiful music have been prompted by the 
stellar world ! Bring a little of it together on 
some moonlight night and render it, in doors 
or out, and see if all do not go home with a 
new and ratified consciousness that 'the 
heavens declare the glory of God and the 
firmament showeth his handiwork.' 

'* If any of these hints shall help a single 
society to edifying activity and innocent recre- 
ation during the heated term, thus becoming a 
fan to cool, a fountain to refresh, and a bower 
to reinvigorate any heat-oppressed league, our 
purpose will be realized." 

An aged people*s reception given by the 
league, to which all the members of An aged 

people's 

the congregation may be invited, but reception, 
at which all who confess to sixty years or more 



96 



EP WOR TH LEAG UE WORKERS. 



shall be the " honored guests " and decorated 
with a league ribbon, would serve to promote 
the reverence and affection f^r the aged which 
should ever be cherished by the young. 

This department may arrange occasionally 
for an intermission of a few minutes in the 
regular meetings, and improve this in the 



A wide-awake social department will find their 
work of supreme importance to the league and 
the church, and they will need constantly to 
be on the alert for opportunities to stir up the 
gift that is in them. The recognition of friends 
in heaven will do well enough as a theme for 
contemplation later on. The living, practical, 
all-absorbing topic with them now should be 
the recognition of friends on earth ; and if they 
can with healthful methods arouse and maintain 
in vigor the social life of t'le young people of 
the church they will have mastered a difficult 
problem, and one whose wise solution has a 
most important relation to the spiritual life 
and activity of the entire congregation. 

In the fulfillment of their especial mission 



Work of a 
wide- awake 
social depart- 
ment. 



introduction of strangers and pro- 
motion of the spirit of fellowship 
among those already acquainted. 



SOCIAL CULTURE. 



97 



the members of this department are to provide 
ushers for all the literary and Ushers, 
devotional meetings of the league, as well as 
for all league lectures and public entertain- 
ments, and, when so desired, for the regular 
services of the church. 

The work of visitation is to be systematic. 
Absences of members from the regular meetings 
should be noted, and in event of visitation of 
sickness or indifference a visit from strangers, 
the committee of this department may prove a 
blessing. New members should be visited at 
their homes by several persons from the league. 
The visitation of scholars absent from the 
Sunday-school should be made by their teach- 
ers, but may well be supplemented by similar 
work from the league. This department should 
stand ready to visit, at the instance of the 
pastor, any families he may suggest to them, 
and the systematic visitation of non-church- 
goers may with profit be conducted by the 
league in any large town or city, in accord with 
the well-known plans of the Evangelical Alli- 
ance. 

Guests spending a Sabbath at the hotels 
should be reached on Saturday night by a 



98 EP IVOR TH LEA G UE WORKER S. 



neatly-printed invitation to the public services 



the invitations being formally addressed. 

The department of mercy and help have 
assigned to them plans for social purity 



soul-corrupting influences that destroy so many 
lives, and its literature should be quietly dis- 
seminated. This department must also, without 
being offensive or unreasonable, be thoroughly 
in earnest to promote the cause of temperance. 
Temperance, seeking to shield from the power 
of the wine-cup every member of the league, 
remembering always the wisdom of the homely 
maxim, that " an ounce of prevention is worth 
a pound of cure." If any place a light estimate 
upon the work of this department they have 
only to look carefully into its difficulties and 
its possibilities, and they will rise from the 
study convinced that it is scarcely second in 
importance to any other, and is indeed a work 
that " might fill an angel's heart." 



Invitations to 
public service. 



of the next day, the names being 
obtained from the register and 



The White 
Cr'^ss. 



and uplift. The White Cross 
movement seeks to overcome the 



CHRISTIAN WORK. 



99 



IX. 

CHRISTIAN WORK. 

An ideal young people's society will aid 
the Church in solving the great problem of 
assigning to ever y man his work " Wisdom of pro- 

, 7^ • '• • r • viding Chris- 

and oi inspiring every proiessing tian work for 

the young. 

Christian to fulfill the task for 
which he is best adapted. It will open to the 
young congenial spheres of activity that will 
prove more fascinating and satisfying than 
worldly pleasures, besides furnishing the spirit- 
ual calisthenics essential to spiritual hygiene. 
It will prove a training-school for the young. 
The Church abounds in business and profes- 
sional men who are very useful in some fields 
of work, but who, converted after attaining to 
years of manhood, are untrained to speak or 
pray in public service. The young people 
should be trained in the spirit of testimony and 
of aggressive, consecrated service. Much may 
be done in preserving the Church from becom- 
ing cold and formal by pouring the warm life- 



100 



EP WOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



blood of youth into all the currents of its re- 
ligious activity. 

For the sake of the Church must the young 
be led to active Christian work. There is a 
charm of attractiveness added to the services 
by the presence of the young. The enthu- 
siasm, hopefulness, cheer, vivacity, and buoy- 
ancy which are characteristics of youth are 
of great value in the general work and life of 
the Church. Besides, the surplusage of energy 
is with the young. Illustrious examples of 
achievement by young men could 

Illustrious 

achievements of be made to fill many a pa^e. Alex- 
young men. ^ j. o> 

ander, Caesar, and Napoleon were 
all acknowledged great commanders while 
yet in their twenties. Cortes looked with the 
gaze of a conqueror upon the city of Mexico 
when he was little more than thirty, while 
Gustavus Adolphus died at thirty-eight. 
Burns, Byron, Keats, and Henry Kirk White 
finished their poems and lay down to die 
while yet they were young men. Thana- 
topsis," in some respects the greatest poem 
in American literature, was written by Br}'ant 
at eighteen. Raphael gave to art his immortal 
creations and surrendered his pencil and brush 



CHRISTIAN WORK. 



101 



at the summons of death when only thirty- 
seven. RicheHeu was secretary of state at 
thirty-one. Luther had practically won the 
great battles of the Reformation at thirty-five. 
''Almost every thing that is great," says 
Disraeli, " has been done by youth." The 
Church must avail itself of the indomitable 
energy and all-conquering faith of her youth- 
ful Davids, who, with a ruddy glow of health 
upon the cheek, and a loyal love to Israel in 
the heart, shall dare to confront the stalwart 
Goliaths of sin and infidelity. 

But, valuable as is their service to the 
Church, it is of more moment to the young 
themselves that they be cultured 
in methods of active Christian ^ovffion^to^^h- 

young. 

work. We give our hearts most 

to that for which we most toil and sacrifice. 

Where your treasure is" — your investment 
of prayer, and struggle, and self-forgetting serv- 
ice — " there will your heart be also." If 
young people, in their youth-time of enthu- 
siasm and energetic action, can be led to do the 
work in all our churches, which youth and 
and only youth can do, their love for Christ's 
kingdom shall steadily strengthen, they will 



1 02 EP WOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



grow in grace, and thus come to the measure 
of the stature of the fullness of Christ." 

The work of the league is manifold, and 
from the right view-point must all be regarded 
as religious as any duty assigned 

Spiritual wel- 
fare of mem- to tlic department of spiritual 

work. In this the spiritual wel- 
fare of members is of great importance. The 
members of the league are to provoke each 
other to good works, watching over one an- 
other in love, inciting each other by word and 
example to attendance upon the class-meeting, 
combining their forces to strengthen the prayer- 
meeting, visiting probationers and giving them 
encouragement, searching out the unsaved and 
brinp-ing- them to the several services. 

In promoting the Sunday-school work com- 
mittees may aid teachers in visiting absentees, 
^ ^ , , look up new scholars, visit the sick, 

Sunday-school ^ 

^^^^^ and always welcome cordially all 

Strangers and vistors who come to the sessions 
of the school. 

They are to distribute tracts systematically 
^. and judiciously and disseminate 

Tract distnbu- J •' 

missionary literature, and in ways 
deemed best to prosecute open-air work. 



CHRISTIAN WORK. 



103 



The ways are numberless in which mem- 
bers of the league may imitate the Master 

and go about doing good. Rais- Fresh-air funds 

ing money to support a fresh-air fund, and 
thus send a few poor children forth from the 
sweltering heat of a great city to breathe 
God's pure air and gaze into God's blue sky, 
is only one illustration of the motto by which 
every truly royal soul must live — Do all the 
good you can, in all the ways you can, to all 
the people you can." 

Every league chapter should be a veritable 
Kind Word Ten," speaking the word in 
season to him that is weary," and -KindWord 
thus bringing cheer and hope to 
many a discouraged and sorrowing life. Every 
cultured faculty should be regarded as sacred 
for use and not for ornamentation. ^' How 
much good," writes one, might be done by 
Kate Green, who won a prize in elocution, if 
she would read a few lines each week, with 
her gently modulated voice, to the old widow 
Langstreth, in the alley yonder, whose dim 
eyes no longer distinguish letters in the old 
worn Bible or the Advocate!' " One person 
made happier every day," says Sidney Smith, 



104 



EP WOR TH LEA G UE WORKER S. 



" would make three hundred and sixty-five 
Sidney Smith's ^^ery year. And thus in ten } ears 
saying. could, by observing this rule, 

bless quite a small village of people." 

Thus living, and having " no day without a 
deed to crown it," proffering the ''cup of 
strength " to weak and fainting souls, young 
people shall translate their lives into doxol- 
ogies of praise to God, and join themselves to 

" The choir invisible 

Whose music is the gladness of the world," 

In all this activity emphasis should be placed 
upon the qualifying word. There is social 
pleasure, musical culture, intel- 

The work must 

be Christian. lectual cxcrcise for its own sake. 
The Epworth League is to do Christian 
work — work that is Christian in aim, seeking 
to promote the kingdom of Christ ; work 
that is Christian in its character, its spirit 
and its motive. 

Divine solicitude seems manifest in the 
word of God chiefly for the worker himself. 
The worker Hiust build on the onc founda- 
himseif. ^.^^^ j^g^^ Christ, else his work 

comes to naught. His heart must be right 
with God. He must walk in the light and 



CHRISTIAN WORK. 



105 



keep himself pure and hold daily fellow- 
ship with his God if he is to have the spiritual 
induement. And this is absolutely essential. 
The muscular energy of a lion cannot qualify 
for intellectual work. The brain of a Bismarck 
or a Gladstone, untouched by divine fire, can- 
not qualify for spiritual work. " Not by might, 
nor by power, but by my Spirit." 

It must never be forgotten that the Epworth 
League seeks to promote piety, spiritual 

growth, and purity of heart. The spiritual indue- 
ment indispen- 

worker must therefore keep close sabie. 
to the great source of spiritual power. The 
human soul is the conduit through which that 
spiritual power is to flow from God to the 
world. The channel must be free from the 
obstruction of sin, so that power may stream 
through the worker and reach the world of 
sinning, perishing men. 

Certain human elements, thoroughly con- 
secrated, doubtless enter into this work. The 
will is the first of all powers and „ , 

■C^ rluman ele- 

the property most dear to all spirit- '^^^'^i- 
ual beings, and displays itself the more actively 
the more they are freed from matter," Will- 
power in a soul, kindled by a heavenly flame, 



106 



EP WO RTH LEAGUE WORKER S. 



is an important factor in the marvelous work 
of translating a dead soul into the kingdom of 
life. "Though men," writes Dr. Kennard, 
" are born into the kingdom of heaven, not by 
the will of man, but of God, yet the only ad- 
equate human channel of that divine energy is 
found in the will of man." 

Another human factor is a downright moral 
earnestness, " as of mariners launching the life- 
, . , boat, as of a father pleading with a 

Moral earnest- ' ^ <=> 

wayward son, as of a Moses in the 
gate of the camp, of Elijah on Carmel, and 
Peter in Jerusalem— a thing of life that burns, 
not flashes, that has contagious and conquer- 
ing power in it." 

The supreme requirement made of the Chris- 
tian worker is character. He must first of 
Character the all be-^\>^ good and true and 

supreme re- 
quirement, brave ; be consecrated, body, mind, 

and soul ; be refined, cultured, gentle with the 

gentleness of Christ ; be an obedient, loving 

child looking into the face of God written in 

the word and manifest in the Incarnate Son. 

Forth from that holy character are to flow 

perennial streams of healing influence that 

shall permanently bless mankind. Through 



CHRISTIAN WORK. 



107 



his exalted and consecrated personality he is to 
have lasting influence* " You seem a very 
temperate people here," once observed Augus- 
tine Birrell, the brilliant essayist, to a Cor- 
nish miner; "how did it happen?" ^^^^ wesiey's 
And the miner, solemnly raising his 
cap, simply replied : " There came a man among 
us once, and his name was John Wesley." 

The high and holy character expected of the 
Christian toiler is evident from the declaration 
that we are "workers together" with God. 
Inspiring is the sentiment of the lines some 
one has written for the members of theEpworth 
League : 

Workers together with Jesus are we ; 
O, how delightful our service should be ! 
Rich the reward which so soon we shall see, 
Workers together with him ! 

This spirit of Christian work is to be car- 
ried into all departments of the church. The 
Epworth League is not something workin aii de- 
apart from the church, but an es- the'chmch. ° 
sential part of it. Any association that seeks 
to divide the church, or to become a substi- 
tute for the church, should be condemned as 
dangerous. The members of a young peo- 



108 EP WORTH LEAGUE WORKERS. 



pie's society should actively co-operate in the 
Sunday-school, the prayer-meeting, class-meet- 
ing, and altar service, at all times proving their 
fidelity and manifesting their loving, loyal 
devotion. 

Upon two or three points it seems pertinent 
that stress should be placed in the Christian 
Methodism a work of Methodist young people. 

witnessing 

Church. Methodism has been from the be- 

ginning a witnessing Church. The divine 
declaration, Ye are my witnesses," summons 
the power of the tongue, as well as the power 
of a godly life, to attest the truths of Christian 
experience. Profession and testimony, as 
well as fruit, are expected of the Christian 
disciple, whose garment should be adorned 
like the robe of the high-priest, with alterna- 
tions of "a golden bell and a pomegranate 
round about." And so the members of the 
Epworth League should crowd the class- 
meeting and strive to inflame the church anew 
with the spirit of joyful testimony. 

Again, Methodism was born in a revival, and 
:he fires thus kindled soon spread through En- 
gland, leaped the waters of the Atlantic, and 
swept as flame through the colonies of the 



CHRISTIAN WORK. 



109 



New World. The vast majority of her zealous 
v^otaries in both ministry and laity were born 
of God amid the white-heat of a revival sea- 
son. True to our traditions, we Revival work, 
should keep foremost the great purpose of 
winning souls, remembering that " Jesus 
Christ came into the world to save sinners." 
And this spirit of evangelism should be inten- 
sified through the Epworth League. Blessed 
will it be if, in this last decade of the nine- 
teenth century, the young people of Method- 
ism shall arise and beside our watchword for 
missions inscribe on the folds of the banners 
of the Church, "A million souls for Christ! " 
and in the spirit of Wesley and Whitefield, 
of Francis Asbury and Thomas Coke, and 
other heroes who led the army in the early 
days, shall join hands with the faithful fathers 
of our own time and pray and toil and sacri- 
fice until we reach that glorious achievement. 
Finally, it is the mission of Methodism to 
spread scriptural Jioliness through these 
lands." Thiswas her primal purpose, spreading hoU- 
and, forgetting this, Methodism 
has no apology for an existence. Members of 

the Epw^orth League should constantly aspire 
8 



110 



EP WOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



to fulfill this divine purpose. Enjoying them- 
selves an experience in the deep things of God 
they should strive in every way to promote 
true holiness — not that type too often manifest 
in a censorious, fault-finding, Pharisaic temper, 
and whose chief characteristic is spiritual pride, 
but the type which Jesus himself manifested 
in his perfect union with the Father, and which 
is always pure and peaceable, easy to be en- 
treated, patient, loving, and kind. Wor- 
ship the Lord, not in the deformity, but in 
" the beauty of holiness." Addressing them- 
selves as loyal Methodists to this threefold pur- 
pose, the promotion of the spirit of testimony, 
the spirit of evangelism, and true sanctification, 
the members of the Epworth League dower 
themselves with richest blessings now and 
evermore. 

" Rouse to some work of high and holy love. 
And thou an angel's happhiess shalt know — 
Shalt bless the earth while in the world above ; 
The good by thee begun shall onward flow 
In many a branching stream, and wider grow ; 
The seed that in these few and fleeting hours, 
Thy hands unsparing and unwearied sow. 
Shall deck thy grave with amaranthine flowers, 
And yield thee fruits in heaven's immortal bower-.'* 



VO UNG PE OPLE' S PR A YER-MEE TING. 1 1 1 



X. 

THE YOUNO PEOPLE'S WEEKLY PRAYER- 
MEETING. 

The Epworth League has on hand no more 
important work than the successful manage- 
ment of the weekly devotional serv- ^ threefold 
ice for young people. A threefold 
culture is proposed by this organization — 
social, intellectual, and spiritual ; but the great- 
est of these is the spiritual. This must be 
held steadily in view as the supreme end. To 
this all else must be tributary. In this weekly 
prayer-meeting all forces trained and de- 
veloped elsewhere are to find their All forces center 

in prayer-meet- 
highest spheres of activity. The ing- 

widened acquaintance; the strengthened friend- 
ships; the deeper knowledge of human nature 
and methods of approach to it, derived from 
the social meetings; the mental discipline; the 
better self-command; the more ready power of 
public speech, derived from the literary meet- 
ings ; these, with all else of growing energy 
and accumulating experience are, in the prayer- 
service, to be laid humbly and reverently 



112 



EP WOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



upon God's altar, and upon every such power 
is to be written, sacred for Jesus." 

Here those members of the league who are 
also members of Christ's body must unite 
Object of the loyally and lovingly in a service 

prayer-meeting. ^^^^^^ twofold aim is the edifica- 

tion of Christian disciples and the conversion 
of sinners. This meeting must enkindle devo- 
tion, help to a bright, clear religious ex- 
perience, give wider horizons, score deep im- 
pressions for the great eternal truths of God's 
word, train young people for active participa- 
tion in other services of the church, and 
finally awaken sinners to repentance and lead 
to conversion. 

Now, with this brief statement of the object 
of the prayer-meeting, we will for convenience 
sake study our subject under three general 
heads, and will first consider the practical 
question : 

I. How TO Get the Members There. — 
In the first place, we would insist that the 
Service helpful meeting be made helpful and at- 
and attractive, ^ractivc. lu a charactcristic ad- 
dress to a class of young men whom he was 
welcoming into the conference Bishop Fowler 



VO UNG PEOPLE'S PR A YER-MEE TING. 1 1 J 



urged a good sermon as the best means of in- 
ducing people to attend public service. He 
said that when the farmer would ''fodder" his 
cattle he does not go about the yard with a 
prod trying to drive them up to the rack, but 
he puts something into the rack. Young 
men, if you want the people to come and hear 
you preach, put something into the rack." 

The prayer-meeting must be made mag- 
netic that of itself it will draw. The meeting 
ought not to depend for its support merely 
upon fidelity. " The shady side of an ice- 
berg " is preferable to a meeting where every 
member comes and performs his part from a 
cool determination simply to do his duty. 
Pour into such an arctic sea the warm gulf- 
stream of fervent love. Thaw out the bergs. 
Bring the balmy breezes and scatter signs of 
the fruits and flowers of God's tropics. Let 
there be warmth, cheer, brightness. With- 
out being sensational let the themes chosen be 
attractive, striking, timely. 

Let the songs be bright, the music glad- 
some. Let us not sing, My drowsy powers, 
why sleep ye so?" to the tune Bright songs. 
" Mcar," grand as are both the hymn and 



114 



EP WOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



melody. Rather let us have from the Epworth 
Hymnal, Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine," 
or, " Sing Always." Above all things avoid 
cant. Throw aside stereotyped phrases. Ban- 
ish the awfully solemn tunes. Be natural ; be 
earnest. Put white-heat zeal into the m.eet- 
ing until every heart catches the fire. 

Make the meeting helpful, edifying. Mix 
brains with your paint, young man, if you 
want good colors," said the old artist. Put 
thought into the meetings. Plan for them. 
Study to pack them with good things from 
God's store-house. Strive to bring out some 
important truth of the word in'every meeting. 
Present it in a form attractive. Illustrate and 
enforce it. Make the service a spiritual ban- 
quet, and they who come will be fed, and they 
will not only come again, but bring others. 

This, then, is the first and chief answer to 
our question, and far more important is this 
than all the work of invitation. If the meet- 
ing be not interesting and attractive no 
amount of invitation can sustain it. 

But the work of invitation is also important, 
and it should be done judiciously and system- 
'-^.tically. Printed lists of topics may be freely 



VO UNG PEOPLE S PR A YER-MEE TING. 1 15 



circulated and neat cards of invitation pre- 
pared. Yet all this may be tamely judicious and 

systematic invi- 

and inefficiently done. Use printers' nation, 
ink, but use it with tact and some ingenuity. 
This is an age of enterprise. Let us catch 
some of its spirit. The very form of an invi- 
tation may arrest attention. Let us get out of 
grooves. Instead of the usual oblong suppose 
we make the card square, and print across it 
diagonally, or use a rectangular form with 
stout paper, and so fold it as to have two strik- 
ing words visible. Whatever the form there 
should be a plentiful supply, that all the mem- 
bers may use them freely. 

The department of mercy and help will here . 
find a most important task. They should visit 
boarding-houses and stores, and . . , . 

o ' Visiting board- 

look up strangers, and bear with '"^-houses. 

them these invitations, adding a personal word 
and arranging to call and accompany to the 
meeting those who are invited. 

Two things about this work of invitation : 
First of all, make the invitation direct, per- 
sonal. The hunter who sent fifty Make invita- 

. , tions personal 

cents to the party advertismg a and cordial, 
recipe to prevent scattering of shot received 



116 



EP IVOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



in reply the advice, "Put in one shot." So 
this work must be tremendously personal. 
Broadcast invitations win very few souls. Se- 
lect one soul, take deliberate aim, and strive 
with all the might to secure that one. 

In the second place, make the young people 
invited feel that you want them. Avoid m_ak- 
ing prominent the thought that you are trying 
to do them good. Rather make them feel 
their presence is greatly desired, their help is 
wanted in the meetings. 

Ushers should welcome every body and give 
them books. At the close of the meetings 
Ushers. strangers should be introduced and 

urged to come again, and most of them will be 
glad to come in often out of the cold into this 
church-home so full of cheer, and whose hearth 
is blazing with the fire of Christly love. 

II. Programme— How to Make the 
Meetings Interesting and Profitable — 
Programme va- How TO Get the Members to 

ried, many par- 
ticipating. Take Part. — Bearing in mmd the 

purposes of the prayer-meeting as previously 

set forth, we may insist upon two things, 

namely : that the programme must be varied, 

and so devised as to induce many to partici- 



YO UNG PEOPLE' S PR A YER-MEE TING. 117 



pate. Deacon Smith disclosed an important 
secret when he said, I have noticed that we 
always have a good prayer-meeting when I take 
part." The meeting is quite sure to be both 
interesting and profitable to those who par- 
ticipate. Singing gives us all a chance. Let 
the meeting abound in song. 

Sometimes, though rarely, the first twenty 
minutes may be given to a song service. Let 
the music be generally bright and gladsome. 
Ordinarily the hymns should be carefully se- 
lected with regard to the topic. Now and 
then a hymn may be read and commented 
upon with profit and all exhorted to reverently 
voice in song its sentiment of prayer, or peni- 
tence, or trust, or joy, or praise. When par- 
ticularly opportune a solo may be rendered, 
the audience uniting in the chorus. 

In a prayer-meeting there should be much 
praying, but not too much of any one prayer.. 
Let the prayers be fervent but ^, ^ r,. 

■i^ J Characterof the 

brief, and held to the central p''"^'"- 
thought of the meeting. In this the leader 
does wisely to set the example. Voluntary 
prayers are perhaps best when they can be 
secured promptly. Sentence prayers " — 



118 EF WORTH LEAGUE WORKERS. 



prayers condensed into a single sentence 
and presenting but one desire — may often 
be secured from twenty persons in succes- 
sion, and in this the timid ones will usually 
take part. 

Ordinarily the meeting must have a topic, 
both leader and topic being announced the 
Topics. week previous. At one time the 

leader will use all the moments necessary for 
the discussion of the theme. Another time 
the topic is briefly presented and thrown open 
for volunteer remarks. At still another time 
the leader will carefully analyze his theme, 
"Meditation-a as, for cxample r Meditation — a 

meansof 

grace." mcaus of grace. (i) Meditation 

defined ; (2) subjects of, as God, redemption, 
etc. ; (3) its helpfulness ; (4) hinderances to its 
exercise ; (5) scriptural examples and passages 
encouraging thereto ; (6) reading of Mrs. 
Phebe Brown's hymn, I love to steal awhile 
away." These sub-topics will be assigned a 
week previous to six different members, each 
one to occupy only two minutes. Such as- 
sistants will, of course, be carefully chosen. 

Another time a hymn will be treated simi- 
larly; for example, ''Rock of Ages." (i) 



VO UNG PEOPLE' S PR A YER-MEE TING. 7 1 9 



Brief sketch of Toplady, the author ; (2) history 
of the hymn ; (3) study of the first stanza ; (4) 
study of the second stanza; (5) Hymn. Rock of 
study of the third stanza. Each 
stanza may be sung after its meaning is given. 
Then all may be invited to give incidents of 
spiritual help or victory from the use of this 
hymn, whether in their own or another's ex- 
perience. This study of the glorious hymns 
of the Church may be a most spiritual and 
helpful service, and may secure the participa- 
tion of a large number to the lasting benefit of 
all present. 

A Hymn-quoting Meeting is profitable. The 
majestic hymns of the Church voice experi- 
ence and tell of temptation, sor- „ 

^ ' Hymn-quoting 

row, joy, and triumph. A theme ^'^^'^"s- 
should always be used to give unity to the serv- 
ice. The peace of God, the witness of the 
Spirit, submission to the divine will in 
trial, sanctification— these and kindred topics 
appear in many a sacred song whose lines 
ought to become familiar to the youthful 
Christian. 

An Evening with the Promises " certainly 
affords all an opportunity to take part, though 



120 EPWORTH LEAGUE WORKERS. 



each should be urged particularly to contrib- 
ute that promise which he has tested in his 
own experience, and he wall then be rendering 
the richest kind of testimony to the power of 
, . divine grace. A " Sixty-six Prom- 

bixty-six Prom- <=> 

ise Meeting. Meeting" might be arranged 

with some work beforehand, in which one 
promise is to be quoted from each of the 
sixty-six books of the Bible by as many differ- 
ent persons. 

A key-word may be previously announced 
for the meeting, as earnest," come," 
"mercy," "love," "quickly," "Redeemer," 
which word is to be found in the passages 
quoted upon that evening. 

Bible-readings are to be commended. The 
theme may be carefully analyzed, the script- 
Bible readings, ural passagcs bearing upon the gen- 
eral topic and the sub-topics all carefully selected 
and their numerical references written on slips 
of paper and distributed as the members enter 
the room, if not before. The members should 
be urged to bring their Bibles and follow the 
reading throughout. There is power in the 
word of God ; let it be duly honored in these 
services. 



VO UNG PE OPLE' S PR A YER-MEE TIN G. 121 



The following programme was used for the 
Sunday evening youn? people's ^ • 

C3 y & r jr Specimen pro- 

service in Trinity Church, Wor- 
cester, Mass. : 

Reading of Greeting of General Officers. 
Prayer. 

Song — "Christ is Near Thee" Epivorth Hymnal. 

Reading from Second Book of Pilgriin's Progress^ Third 
Chapter, as a Dialogue. 

After Christiana and Mercy had seen the 
man with the muck-rake " Mr. Best's song, 
Look Up," was sung ; and after the depart- 
ure of the pilgrims with Great Heart, Earn- 
estly Fighting for Jesus " (Epworth Hymnal), 
then followed prayer and testimony. 

The same society had a pleasant service of 
one hour and a quarter consisting of a Bible- 
reading on the Tabernacle, illus- Bibie-reading 

on the Taber- 

trated by Dr. Strong's charts. nacie. 

Occasionally Bible study may be promoted 
and a general participation secured by having 
roll-call responded to with a Bible prayer. 

But, while all these are special arrangements 
by which members may be induced to take 
part, the refjular and usual means r^, ■ t 

' o The spirit of 

must be the narration of experi- ^^^^'"'°''y- 
ence. There is power in the spiiit of testimony. 



122 



EP WOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



Ye are my witnesses." In the early days 
of Methodism this was one of the chief 
sources of power. That word ''experience" 
was the shibboleth of the Wesleyan move- 
ment, and we should be true to our history in 
this respect. If the decadence of the class- 
meeting is an indication that the spirit of 
testimony is waning amon^ us it should be 
indeed occasion for alarm. A voiceless Chris- 
tianity is a puny Christianity. Profession and 
testimony, as well as fruit, are required of the 
Christian disciple. 

Here is a work for the young people of 
Methodism. Let them recover and keep alive 
this spirit of testimony, ''speaking often one 
to another" out of the fervor of warm hearts 
and out of the full, sweet joy of a clear and 
deep experience of God's saving grace. 

One word of emphasis here. Let the testi- 
monies or woids of experience be held closely 
to the theme of the meeting. This will prevent 
largely that repetition and use of stereotyped 
phrases too common in class-meetings. In a 
class-meeting conducted by a pious and faith- 
ful leader, the first ever attended by the 
writer, a young man who talked with versatil- 



VO UNG PEOPLE S PRA YER-MEE TING. 12S 



ity upon other topics outside the meetings 
gave unvaryingly, for several months, the same 
set testimony in precisely the same words. A 
central topic for the meeting might have cor- 
rected this. 

In song, in testimony, in prayer, in Bible 
study, in brief discussion of chosen themes, all 
may be afforded opportunity to participate, 
and the larger the number participating in a 
service the more profitable, ordinarily, will it 
prove to all, provided always that all those tak- 
ing; part shall strive to make the serv- 

^ ^ The meeting 

ice spiritual and edifying. Pon- STnd\vanget 
derous emphasis must be laid upon 
this. The study of Methodist biography, bib- 
lical geography, etc., has. its place. Perhaps 
with profit these themes may be used, but we 
would rather remand these to another meet- 
ing during the week. In the Sunday even- 
ing service we would play the guns upon one 
point. 

Now and then make the meeting distinctly 
evangelistic, and strike in earnest for the im- 
mediate salvation of souls. But, vvhatever the 
theme or the plan of the meeting, it must 
never be forgotten for a moment that this 



124 



EP IVOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



service is devotional — a meeting for worship-- 
and its supreme end is spiritual results. 

III. What Each Department can do in 
THIS Meeting. — The department of spiritual 
What the de- ^^'^^^ should have the responsi- 
Tplrhu'r^work bility of fumishing leaders. The 
plan may call for an experienced 
chief, who shall have a general charge of every 
meeting, and who will share the responsi- 
bility with his less experienced assistant an- 
nounced to lead the meeting. As far as prac- 
ticable the members should take their turn in 
conducting the mxcetings. Co-operation of 
leaders is also helpful. Suppose twelve per- 
sons are chosen to lead twelve successive meet- 
ings, with topics or plans assigned. These 
twelve may sit together facing the audience^ 
and while the one appointed directs the 
meeting the remaining eleven may hold 
themselves ready to co-operate by remarks or 
prayers, and so prevent any of those painful 
pauses so distressing to both leader and au- 
dience. 

The department of literary work may pre- 
pare the programme, choosing and arranging 
topics, planning for the varied character of the 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S PR A YER-MEETING. 125 



meetings, adjusting themes and leaders, bring- 
ins^: their best skill to bear m , , , 

Department of 

securing variety, attractiveness, and ^''^'"^'^ 
helpfulness. They should also prepare the 
notices of the meeting to be read from the 
pulpit. 

The department of mercy and help will 
find enough to do in the twofold work of in- 
vitation and welcome. Active i n Department of 

. . mere j'^ and 

spreadmg prmted invitations and help, 
in addressing a personal word, or making a 
personal visit, they are to compel attendance 
by the persuasive power of kindness. But 
they must also systematically plan for a cordial 
welcome to every body. They must furnish a 
committee who will greet all who enter and 
hand them over to the ushers, who will in turn 
escort them to seats and provide them with 
books. They are to make strangers feel glad 
they have come. 

The department of social work have 
great responsibily in that they furnish the 
chorister and organist or pianist, , , , 

o IT ' Department of 

and provide for solos or any special 

music when desired by the leader. They can 

do much also toward giving a warmth and 



126 



EP WOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



cheer to this meeting by attention to the ap- 
pearance and furnishings of the prayer-meeting 
room. If the walls are stained or forbidding 
they can cover them with paper or calcimine 
them at small expense. If they are in good 
condition, but gloomy, they may be bright- 
ened by hanging a few pictures upon them. A 
modest bouquet of flowers on the table besides 
the leader will give a touch of homelikeness. 
This department must somehow create an 
atmosphere of warmth and geniality which all 
will feel the moment they enter the room. 

The department of correspondence will 
carefully scan the meetings, noting any ab- 
Department of scnccs of regular mcmbcrs and 

correspond- .... , . 

ence. visitiug tlicse to urgc their attend- 

ance. They must try to bring into this serv- 
ice the last man whose name is on the rolls of 
the league. They should also keep a record 
of attendance, make notes on the programme 
and character of the services, and report the 
same to the business meetings of the league. 

The department of finance should attend 
-r. , , to the printing^ of the programmes 

Department of t> jr jd 

and invitations, using their best skill 
to make the same varied, striking, neat, and 



¥0 UNG PE OPLE S PKA YER-MEE TING. 127 

attractive. They should provide for the pay- 
ment of bills thus incurred as well as for other 
expenses in the conduct of the meeting. 

Thus each department will find work that is 
vital to the interests of this devotional service 
— work that must be done faithfully if this 
meeting is to be of the highest efficiency. 

In concluding this brief treatment of a great 
theme the reader will permit a few general 
suggestions. 

Occasionally, say once in three months, 
formally invite the entire official board to be 
present, and have one of their , . . ^ . , 

J- ' Inviting omcial 

number to address the meeting 

briefly, either on the topic of the evening or 

something more general. 

Sometimes, not often, have a crisp, live tract 
given to all at the door at close of meeting. 

Make every body welcome at the service, 
but impress all with the fact that this . . , 

i A meeting for 

is a meeting distinctively {or young y°""spe°pi«- 
people. Forgetfulness of this has stranded 
many a young people's meeting. 

If there are on hand specimens of that well- 
defined genus, the " prayer-meeting killer," 
whether he does his work most effectively by 



128 EPWORTH LEAGUE WORKERS. 



long prayers or by protracted remarks, better 
kill him off rather than have the meeting die. 
Be patient and forbear for a time, then make 
him the subject of missionary effort. If this 
fail heroic treatment must be applied. Long 
prayers are the best prescriptions for killing a 
meeting. The prayers of the Bible are all 
brief, most of them notably so. Peter omitted 
a lengthy introduction, else he would have 
been several feet below the surface before he 
reached the point of his prayer, Lord, save, 
or I perish ! " 

Young people should attend the regular 
public prayer-meeting of the church. Better 
close the young people's meeting altogether 
than have it rob the more general service of 
their presence and co-operation. 

Responsive readings may be used occasion- 
ally, those in the first part of the Ep worth 
Hymnal servinsr well the purpose. 

Responsive ^ 

readings. Chautauqua Vesper Services, used 
sparingly, may be helpful in opening the meet- 
ing. We commend especially the Praise and 
Promise Service in this series published by the 
Methodist Book Concern. 

• Finally, whatever the programme or plan 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S PR A YER-MEETING. 129 



adopted, let every body be thoroughly in ear- 
nest to make the meeting success- Enthusiasm, 
ful. Pour enthusiasm into it. Be almost 
fanatically zealous for it. " Ordinarily," said 
a hoosier, " I weigh two hundred pounds ; 
when I am mad I weigh a ton." Zeal should 
supplement ability until each weighs a ton " 
in this all-important work. If " all do with 
their might what their hands find to do " God 
will give great victories for his cause. • 



130 EP WORTH LEA G UE WORKER S. 



XL 

ENTERTAINMENT, CORRESPONDENCE, AND 
FINANCE. 

Tirs department of social work must 
provide music for all meetings and select a 
chorister if desired. There should Church music, 
be a constant endeavor to train the members 
of the league in good choral music, and thus 
fit them for their part in the congregational 
singing of public worship. To this end hymns 
should be freely interspersed in the pro- 
grammes of the weekly meetings. 

A league chorus or glee club can often be 
organized, trained, and employed to great 
. , , advantage both to the leap;ue and 

A league cho- o 

the members of such chorus. A 
competent leader may be secured usually at 
small expense, and thus the best voices will 
be selected and developed for valuable service 
in the regular meetings of the league and the 
various services of the church. The great evan- 
gelists in recent years have demonstrated the 
power of sacred song in conjunction with the 



ENTERTAINMENT, ETC. 131 

preaching of the word, and the tactful pastor 
accomplishes a twofold purpose when in revivals 
he rallies nightly fifty or a hundred young peo- 
ple as a chorus for an opening service of sacred 
song. The Epvvorth League worker should be 
a singing Christian, making melody with his 
lips, as well as in his heart, unto the Lord. 
With joy in his heart, with victory in his face, 
with sublimity in his life, he must learn to 
sing his way triumphantly through many a day 
of temptation and many a night of trial. He 
should catch the nightingale spirit of the blind 
poet and 

" Sing when the heart is troubled, 
Sing when the hours are long, 
Sing when the storm-cloud gathers; 
Sweet is the voice of song.'' 

Music will prove an important factor in the 
league meetings, and here the glee club or 
chorus may enliven the literary . . , 

J Music in league 

programme with glees, college "'^^""ss- 
songs, and patriotic airs. Listrumental music 
will, of course, be employed for the same 
purpose, but in this care should be had to 
secure variety by the use of violin, cornet, 
banjo, guitar, and mandolin, as well as piano 
and organ. 



132 



EP WOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



Since the department of social work is 
responsible for music, its members have a part, 
nd an important part, in every 



Work of depart- 



ment of enter- 
tainment 
meetings 



tainment in all mccting. If they do their Avork 



wdth wisdom and fidelity they will 
add incalculably to the genuine pleasure and 
success of the league meetings. If they fail, 
the lack can hardly be supplied, for in young 
people's meetings there is no reliable substi- 
tute for good, soul-stirring music. 

Excursions and picnics are assigned to this 
department, but public entertainments, also, 
„ . J as concerts and lectures, are prob- 

Excursions and ' ^ 

picnics. ^^ly contemplated. These should 

be conducted, if practicable, for purposes of 
entertainment and instruction rather than with 
a view to financial profit. Courses or series 
Courses of com- almost entirely complimentary may 

plimentary lect- 

""■^s- be managed as follows, namely: 

Let there be five entertainments ; one of these 
a concert by local talent, the remaining four 
to be lectures ; one of them by some prominent 
citizen whose services will be rendered gratu- 
itously for the general good, and the other 
three by speakers who are regularly in the 
lecture field. Let there be no charge of 



ENTERTAINMENT, ETC. 



133 



admission except to one of the entertainments, 
the proceeds from which will usually defray 
the expense of the entire course. But the 
other entertainments must not be announced 
as ''free." Admission to these is to be had 
only by cards of invitation, which may be dis- 
tributed by .the members of the league 
among the families of the congregation and 
such families in the community outside the 
congregation as would likely be interested. 
This generosity will be remembered when the 
" paid " lecture is given. In this way some 
of the chief orators in Methodism may be 
brought before the community, a commend- 
able churchly spirit may be stimulated, and 
delightful and instructive entertainment pro- 
vided for young and old alike. 

To this department is further assigned the 
delicate and beautiful task of furnishing flowers 
for the pulpit and for the sick, rwers for the 

pulpit and the 

Flowers, which, Mr. Beecher said, sick, 
are " the sweetest things that God ever made 
and forgot to put a soul into," and which 
Wilberforce called "the smiles of God's good- 
ness," best fulfill their high and holy offices in 
the temple of God and in the chamber of his 



134 



EP IVOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



sick and suffering children ; and when, after 
adorning the pulpit or festooning the altar, 
their surviving beauty and fragrance warrant 
their transfer to the home of the invalid, they 
are doubly welcome, since they are invested 
with tender suggestions of the sanctuary, and 
its hallowed associations and inspiring wor- 
ship. 

It may be well to accompany the flowers to 
the sick with a finely printed or engraved card 
with some such inscription as this : 

An Expression of Christian Love, 
from the 

Chapter, Epworth League, of 

, Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Luke 12. 27, 28, 

The exercises for Children's Day will claim 
the hearty support of all the members of this 
Children's Day. department ; and since this is the 
great educational day of Methodism, catalogues 
and announcements of the denominational 
institutions in the vicinity should be secured 
for distribution among those likely to be inter- 
ested in higher education. 

The department of correspondence find their 
work iTiade clear in the outline of the Epworth 



ENTERTAINMENT, ETC. 135 

Wheel, and rather would we lay emphasis 
upon scrupulous attention and un- Care of records, 
wavering fidelity to the care of records and 
management of correspondence there laid down 
than enlarge upon their work so clearly indi- 
cated. Besides every thing there outlined 
many minor duties will suggest themselves, 
such as supplying the pastor with a list of the 
names and addresses of all the young people 
of the congregation, the preparation and 
preservation of a year's scrap-book, into which 
shall go a record of the Sabbath . 

o A year scrap- 

services and every printed pro- 
gramme of whatsoever character employed in 
the various services and entertainments of the 
conference year, thus treasuring up what may 
one day be valuable historical material. 

We are glad to avail ourselves of the sug- 
gestions of one whose experience and ability 
peculiarly qualify him to speak ^ 

^ y i. ✓ i Suggestions by 

upon this subject. We refer to l. Doty. 
Mr. O. L. Doty, at the present writing, secre- 
tary of the Fifth General Conference District 
League, who says : 

" At first thought the department of corre- 
spondence may seem to be least in consequence, 



136 



EP IVOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



but if carefully and prayerfully thought out its 
work will assume wonderful proportions, and 
the results attained will, I am sure, astonish 
even the originators of the Epworth League 
system. 

" The secretar}.^ of an Epworth League ought, 
pre-eminently, to be a deeply religious person. 
The more piety the better the work will be 
performed, and the more piety the more work 
there will be found to perform. 

" As for the number of members in this 
department, that will vary, but in general there 
ought not to be so many persons assigned to 
this line of work as there are to the other 
departments, because there is not so much 
work to be done. And yet when the business 
of this department is done thoroughly it will 
be found that many more persons can be used 
to advantage than would at first thought be 
named. It is the purpose of the new depart- 
ure to distribute the work that a league does 
among its members, so that it may all be done 
thoroughly and yet not overtax any one. At 
the same time it is so distributed that many, 
or all, are counted among the workers. 

First af all, it is the duty of the secretary 



ENTERTAINMENT, ETC. 187 

to know just what is being done in each of the 
other departments as well as his own, and to 
have a record kept of the business transacted 
in each. Often each department acts as a com- 
mittee to consider or to transact business that 
has been referred to it by the league. Such 
departmental meetings might appoint a sub- 
secretary, who shall furnish to the secretary of 
the league a copy of the minutes of the depart- 
ment meeting, and shall cause the same to be 
placed upon the general record book of the 
league. 

It will be well for him to associate the 
sub-secretaries with him in his work — that is, 
those who act as secretaries for the various 
departments — and to see that the reports thej^ 
submit are drawn in proper form and cover the 
necessary ground. 

He shall see that every person who is 
elected to membership in the league signs 
the constitution. It would seem that a secre- 
tary would attend to this promptly, but it is 
now and then neglected. As no persons are 
entitled to vote unless they have signed the 
constitution, and as the treasurer must depend 
upon the secretary for a list of members, the 



188 EP WOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



necessity of attention to this matter is ap- 
parent. Where it is of importance, as in a 
city, the street and number of every member's 
residence should be recorded. 

The secretary should send a list of the 
names of the officers of the league to the 
quarterly conference for confirmation and to 
the central office of the league in New York 
city. Besides these two duties he should keep 
each of these bodies advised of any change of 
officers that takes place during the year. 

" As Our Youth'^ is the official organ of the 
league every secretary ought to be a sub- 
scriber to it. In fact, I am strongly of the 
opinion that one of the qualifications that 
should recommend one for the office should 
be that he or she shall be a reader of 
Our Youth,^ and of at least one of the Church 
Advocates. 

From time to time items of interest should 
be sent to our papers, and a full acco^mt of 
every monthly meeting should appear in the 
local newspaper. 

" One of the special duties of the department 
is to gather items and to make record of the 

* Now The Epioorth Herald. 



ENTERTAINMENT, ETC. 139 

literary work and prescribed readings of the 
league. The secretary can assist in promoting 
interest in this work by helping to plan for it 
and by corresponding with other leagues, with 
the view of using the very best methods that 
are employed by others. 

" Each league should have what are known 
as ' application cards,' and one of the special 
duties of the secretary should be to see that one 
of these cards is placed in the hands of every 
young person who belongs to the church and 
congregation, and to follow them up persist- 
ently until every one will consent to become a 
member of the league. 

"Correspondence with absent members 
ought to be one of the most delightful occupa- 
tions of the members of this department. 
Some young person may be saved from falling 
into temptation when in some distant new home 
by the timely letter from the league which 
he or she has just left, and may be held to the 
league and church by these little attentions. 

A history of the league from its beginning 
should be carefully prepared and preserved, 
and all historical matters occurring during his 
term of office should be recorded. Every 



140 EP IVOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 

league has a history of some kind or another ; 
but if the items are not gathered and arranged 
they will never be of any benefit, and they 
may, when gathered, be of great interest to 
future leagues. 

This department should constantly be 
gathering items of interest concerning league 
and church work from correspondence, the 
Advocates, and other sources, and thus estab- 
lish a bureau of general information that will 
be made use of frequently for the general good 
of the society. 

When members remove to other places 
the secretary should see that they receive cards 
of dismissal and letters of introduction to the 
league to which they are going, whether they 
ask for them or not. 

Some member of the department of corre- 
spondence should be appointed to write all 
notices that are to be announced from the 
pulpit or in the Sabbath-school. This is an 
important matter. If the pastor does not have 
a written notice of the matter in hand do not 
blame him if he makes bungling w^ork of the 
announcement. 

" it is the duty of the head of this depart- 



ENTERTAINMENT, ETC. 141 

ment, and the committee in particular, to 
attend the religious meetings of the league, 
and to make a record of the attendance and 
interest manifested, and report the same to the 
league at its business meetings. 

" From time to time — say, at least four times 
a year — there should be read in the general 
meeting a carefully prepared report of all 
matters that have come under the secretary's 
notice or the supervision of his department, so 
that every member of the league may become 
familiar with the workings of each department. 
Persons will undoubtedly be assigned to de- 
partments, who, after giving the work a fair 
trial, will discover that they are not adapted to 
it, so that by giving out this general informa- 
tion the secretary will help such a one to 
ascertain just what he can do best. The idea 
of a quarterly report is purely Methodistic, 
and, in addition to presenting it to the 
league, it should be forwarded to the next 
quarterly conference, with the request that 
it be read to that body and spread upon its 
records. 

''The secretary of an Epworth League must 

be as careful and painstaking in his work as if 
10 



U2 



EP WOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



he were Secretary of State at Washington. 
He should invite inspection of his work and 
books. He should be a man of prompt- 
ness; not slothful in business, but diligent in 
all things, performing to the best of his abil- 
ity the important work committed to his 
hands." 

The department of finance, directed by the 
best business talent of the league, must tax 
p . their insj-enuity to devise wavs and 

Best business o y j 

panme^n\'i^£ means best adapted to existing con- 
finance. . 

ditici^s for providmg funds necessary 

to meet expenditures. Besides supplementing 
the income from dues by various entertain- 
ments and devices, such as profits derived 
from publishing a paper with numerous adver- 
tisements, they may secure annual contributions 
from older members of the church, who thus 
become honorary members of the league. 
Sometimes, too, an official board may be 
led to make an appropriation for the leagues, 
thus at once aiding the young people in 
their work and emphasizing the official and 
vital relation between this organization and 
the church. 

If the invaluable service proposed for these 



ENTERTAINMENT, ETC. 143 

three departments of entertainment, corre- 
spondence, and finance may seem ^^^^ 
less conspicuous than that of other mentstSy 

important. 

departments, it yet remams true 
that nothing is scarcely more vital to the truest 
and best success of a young people's society 
than the threefold work which they represent. 



144 EP WOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



XII. 

THE PASTOR AND THE LEAGUE. 

The pastor sustains of necessity a more 
intimate relation to the league than to some 
other societies of the Church. Happy will it 
be for all concerned if he be quick in his sym- 
pathies for the young and endued with a 
penetrating insight into their aspirations, their 
abilities, their intellectual and spiritual needs; 
and thrice blessed will it be if he have the 
power to inspire them with a deathless ambi- 
tion to be godlike, and to realize their high- 
est possibilities of manhood and womanhood. 

In many instances the pastor must accept 
T,, , the presidency of the oro^anization ; 

1 he pastor and ir J o » 

the presidency. ^j^-^ ghould not bc SO whcre a 

competent person can be found among the 
young people who will work in harmony with 
him. The responsibility of the office will de- 
velop the powers of a young life, and the pas- 
tor may wisely supplement at those points 
where weakness is manifest from inexperience, 
and although he is not himself president he 



THE PASTOR AND THE LEAGUE. 145 



must feel no less a burden of anxiety for the 
success of the league. 

Particularly will it fall to him in most in- 
stances to render aid in the prep- His aid in the 

preparation of 

aration of programmes for literary programmes, 
meetings, directing the plans for study of the 
Bible, and collateral lines. Such work is vi- 
tally important, and requires breadth of read- 
ing, wide knowledge, power of analysis such as 
few young people possess, and, above all, tact, 
both in using the forces at hand and in map- 
ping out lines of work that lie within the taste 
and reach of the young people immediately 
concerned. 

Besides, work of a given character falls nat- 
urally to the paston He may often 



conduct the opening devotiona' voaonai serv 



Conducting de- 
votional serv- 
ices in opening 



service. In connection with this ^^^^^^s"^- 
he may seize the fitting opportunity to give a 
brief and interesting exposition of some script- 
ural passage, thus investing the word with 
new charm. Occasionally he may conduct a 
brief Bible reading," pointing out correct 
pronunciation of biblical names and terms, ex- 
plaining an oriental custom, commenting upon 
a geographical reference, and asking questions 



146 EPWORTH LEAGUE WORKERS. 



arising from the study, and scoring a deep 
impression for the spiritual truth which the 
passage contains. Or, again, he may giv^e a 
series of short talks upon the theme, " How to 
read the Scriptures profitably," putting into 
these the most practical and helpful sugges- 
^ . , , „ tions he has to offer, and illustrat- 

Practical talks ' 

on Bible reading, ^^^^^^ ^^^^ practical application 
to some passage each evening, thus promoting 
a more intelligent study of the word. Occa- 
sionally he may give a lecture on some Bible 
topic. An evening may be given to " Sight- 
seeing in Northern Syria," illustrating, if possi- 
ble, with the stereopticon, and visiting Beyroot, 
Baalbec, Mount Hermon, Damascus, sources 
of the Jordan, Cesarea Philippi, Cana, Sea of 
Galilee, Capernaum, Nazareth, and other 
points of interest. 

Of equal importance is the arousal of the 
T . . , youn^^ people to enthusiasm and 

Inspiring and J o Jr 

yJ^ang " peopil stcadfast dcvotlon in Christian 

for Christian i -i i 

work. work, whether philanthropic or 

evangelistic. Blest indeed is that church 
where the pastor rallies about him, not only 
in seasons of revival, but throughout the year, 
a band of well-disciplined, earnest, loyal, con- 



THE PASTOR AND THE LEAGUE. 147 



secrated young people — a true Gideon's band 
• — always ready to do and dare for Christ. 
For the enhstment, training, and employment 
of such forces the pastor is chiefly responsi- 
ble, and to the solution of this momentous 
problem he will give much anxious and prayer- 
ful thought. In return, however, for time 
and energy expended here, he will reap the 
richest rewards, the sweetest experiences, and 
the highest possible compensations. In the 
young lives thus lifted to higher spiritual 
levels, thus developed and equipped for 
broader usefulness, his own life w^ill be redu- 
plicated and in every way enlarged and 
prolonged in its beneficent influence, and in 
after times many shall " rise up and call him 
blessed." 

But while the work calls so loudly for the 
pastor's wise and earnest guidance, no clerical 
here is no place for clerical arro- arrogance, 
gance or official assertion. This is a young 
people s society, and they should be allowed to 
direct its affairs in their own way, so long as 
they direct them well. By suggestion and 
gentle persuasion, if need be, the pastor is to 
lead them to avoid serious mistakes, but in all 



148 EPWORTH LEAGUE WORKERS. 



matters except those of grave importance the 
young people should be made to feel that to 
them is committed the responsibility for the 
management of the league. 

It must be further remembered that this is 
A society for a society for young people. It 

the young 

people. must be conducted in their inter- 

ests, and, so far as is consistent with their best 
interests, in accord with their tastes. There is 
danger lest the standard of literary work be 
too high, and that the biblical study be after 
plans unsuited to their previous training and 
present attainments. They may sometimes 
desire innocent pleasantry, and the wise pastor 
will bear with them, never forgetting that they 
are young people. 

Where practicable the pastor should occa- 
Attending the sioually attcud the young people's 

devotional 

meetings. dcvotlonal scrvice, thus acquainting 
himself with its real character, besides render- 
ing personal aid. It may not be best that he 
should always attend this or the literary meet- 
ings, or, being present, to spend the entire hour 
there ; but in this he must exercise discretion. 
The young people should be thrown upon 
their own resources as much as possible. 



THE PASTOR AND THE LEAGUE. 149 



The pastor may keep himself in close sym- 
pathy with this important work by How keep alive 

reading reports of conventions, ^y^^p^^^y- 
essays on special phases of the work, and by 
gathering, in similar ways, helpful suggestions 
from practical and efficient workers in this 
field. 

In the pulpit he may prove himself the 
friend of the league by words of „. , . 

o •' His work in 

commendation accompanying an ^^^p"^p''- 
announcement, and by occasionally preaching 
upon this distinctive work. Series of sermons 
addressed to young people will be helpful, and 
the anniversary of the organization of the local 
chapter serves as a fitting occasion for an an- 
niversary sermon either by the pastor or by 
some distinguished stranger invited, at his 
suggestion, by the members of the league. 

We will continue the further consideration 
of this subject by quoting entire an article 
from the pen of Rev. J. M. Durrell, which ap- 
peared in Our Youth, and certainly deserves 
preservation in permanent form. 

He writes as follows : 

" How may the Epworth League aid the 
pastor? In many ways. 



150 EP WORTH LEAGUE WORKERS. 



" The League brings the pastor and the 
Observations young people into organized sym- 

byRev.J. M. , ^ . , , 

Durreii. pathy. It IS patent that the young 

men and women of the church cannot afford 
to keep at arm's length from their reHgious 
teacher, and that he must not allow himself to 
be at a social distance from them. The most 
cordial understanding should exist between 
the pulpit and the younger of the congrega- 
tion. The practical question is, Shall such 
a mutual confidence exist in a general unor- 
ganized good feeling, or shall sympathy crys- 
tallize itself into a society for the purposes of 
reciprocal helpfulness ? John Wesley recog- 
nized the value of organized sympathy when he 
wrote the sentiment adopted as the second of 
the Epworth League mottoes, ' I desire to 
form a league, offensive and defensive, with 
every soldier of Jesus Christ.' By the forma- 
tion of a local chapter the pastor has an op- 
portunity of looking into the faces of his young 
people, and the bond between him and them 
may be strengthened by making him the spir- 
itual adviser of the chapter and making that 
officer a member of the cabinet. 

The Epworth League also affords the pas- 



THE PASTOR AND THE LEAGUE. 151 



tor an opportunity of bringing this organized 
sympathy into loyalty with the spirit and 
usages of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
More than one Methodist preacher has found 
some difficulty in the practical working of a 
young people's society when it has been a 
branch of some organization in which the con- 
stituency is largely made up of members of 
other communions, The ideals and methods 
of such 'undenominational' associations are 
the ideals and methods of that denomination 
which has the most influence in them. Is it 
not much better for each communion to have 
its own league ? Is it not wise for Methodism 
to maintain a young people's league whose 
aim it shall be to build up the Methodist 
Episcopal Church ? The growing conviction 
in our own communion has at last found ex- 
pression in the unification of all the young 
people's societies under the name and consti- 
tution of the Epworth League, With a strong 
central government, as contemplated in the 
scheme of organization, with the press of a 
great Church behind it, with a weekly organ 
to voice its battle-cry to the public, and with 
conference and district societies to assist in 



152 



EP WORTH LEAGUE WORKERS 



forming and advising the local chapters, the 
Epworth League should, and does, give the 
pastor the most efficient plan possible for fir- 
ing the hearts of his young people with de- 
nominational loyalty. The third motto of the 
league breathes both the denominationalism 
and catholicity of the great Simpson, ' We live 
to make our own Church a power in the world, 
and we live to love all the Churches that love 
the Lord Jesus Christ.' As spiritual adviser 
in the local chapter the pastor may once a 
month address his young people on some topic 
of Church doctrine or discipline; probationers 
will find such means of information helpful. 
By his place in the cabinet the pastor has a 
great opportunity for suggesting ways and 
means, and the trouble taken will yield large 
returns of loving appreciation. Young people 
are usually ready to follow their spiritual ad- 
viser when he shows himself true, wise, and 
companionable. How can a pastor better rally 
about him an enthusiastic band whose hearts 
God has touched than by utilizing the Ep- 
worth League, and how can he better lead 
youthful enthusiasm to love the principles and 
work the methods of the Church than by an 



THE PASTOR AND THE LEAGUE. 153 



organization brought into existence by a call 
for this very purpose? 

" Another advantage is the opportunity af- 
forded by the league to form the ideals, and 
consequently shape the lives, of the young peo- 
ple. This is done to some extent in the pul- 
pit. The pulpit has a power peculiarly its 
own ; there can be no substitute for faithful 
preaching; yet a supplementary w^ork may be 
done through the league. The principles 
enunciated in the desk may be brought to a 
practical application in the chapter meetings 
and in the individual interviews that such 
meetings afford. The league provides organ- 
ized methods of realizing the ideals presented 
by the preacher. 

In parish work the league becomes to the 
pastor an additional arm for reaching out 
among the people. In this age of multiplying 
duties many things must remain undone unless 
the preacher in charge can enlist others to as- 
sist him. The league, with its committees to 
welcome strangers in the church vestibule, in- 
vite people to Sunday-school, seek out the 
needy, visit new-comers, comfort and provide 
flowers for the sick, hold temperance meetings. 



154 EP WOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



organize literary work, provide suitable enter- 
tainments, and hold such prayer-meetings as 
the varying condition of the church may re- 
quire, doubles the pastor's power and justifies 
our first motto—' Look up and lift up.' Of 
course time (of which we are as covetous as a 
miser is of gold) must be spent to superintend 
an organization of this sort; any piece of ma- 
chinery needs oversight and lubrication ; but 
the increase of work accomplished more than 
pays for the time given. The many commit- 
tees appointed by the quarterly conference as 
provided by the Discipline have their mission, 
and when worked, as they seldom are, yield 
satisfactory returns, but in no way render 
useless the efforts of the young people. 
' The whole church at work, and at work all 
the time,' is a motto that the pastor should 
write out in large hand and hang up over his 
study-table if he is in danger of forgetting it, 
A working church will stimulate effort in their 
spiritual leader, and where all are engaged the 
duties of the individual are not arduous, but 
refreshing, by virtue of the general enthusiasm 
of which each worker partakes. It is easier to 
run a church than to drag it as a dead-weight. 



THE PASTOR AND THE LEAGUE. 155 



If the pastor neglects to so organize the locai 
church that it will carry him as the superin- 
tending engineer he must take the alternative 
of turning himself into an Atlas and carrying 
the burden upon his own shoulders. 

When the revival season comes round the 
preacher will not find himself left to plod on 
with a few of the older members ; the younger 
portion of the church, that has been so inti- 
mate with its leader during the other months 
of the year, will not desert him now, but will 
rally about him and the standard of the cross, 
thus making the series of extra services a 
success. 

" In addition to all these considerations the 
pastor who thus links his young people to him- 
self will keep his own heart young, and will 
find such intense joy in their friendships that 
many of the asperities of the ministerial office 
will be softened, and church life will roll on 
golden wheels even though the track may be 
of uncompromising steel.'* 



156 EP WOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



XIII. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

Various are the devices to which human 
Esprit de corps. Organizations have recourse for the 
development and maintenance of an esprit de 
corps. Among these, badges and mottoes have 
The badge. their placc. The Epworth League 
badge is in the form of a Swiss cross, bearing 
on opposite arms the initial letters E, and L, 
having at its center a Roman cross with di- 
vergent rays and encircled by one of the mot- 
toes of the organization, Look Up, Lift 
Up." This beautiful symbol is furnished in 
charms or pins, in silver or gold, at the lowest 
possible cost. 

Besides the motto borne upon the badge, 
The three which was the motto formerly of 
the Christian League, the Epworth 
League has two other mottoes. The first of 
these consists of the words of John Wesley : 
" I desire to form a league, offensive and de- 
fensive, with every soldier of Christ Jesus." 

The other is the memorable sentence ut- 



MIS CELL ANEO US. 



157 



tered by Bishop Simpson, and which has been 
the motto of the Young People's Methodist 
Alliance, namely: " We live to make our own 
Church a power in the land, while we live to 
love every other Church that exalts our 
Christ." These mottoes should appear upon 
programmes and be quoted in meetings until 
they are made familiar to all the members 
of every chapter. 

A pledge is thought by many to be efficient 
in securing the same result as the badge or 
the motto, besides binding to more The pledge, 
active and systematic service all who assume 
the covenant. The Epworth League pro- 
vides the following pledge : 

I will earnestly seek for myself, and do 
what I can to help others attain, the highest 
New Testament standard of experience and 
life. I will abstain from all those forms of 
worldly amusement forbidden by the Disci- 
pline of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
And I will attend, so far as possible, the relig- 
ious meetings of the chapter and the church, 
and take some active part in them." 

This pledge, however, is not compulsory. 

Its adoption is left to the option of each local 
11 



158 



EP WOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



chapter, and in this we see another Instance of 



and conditions. Much is to be said in favor 
of a pledge voluntarily assumed. Many be- 
lieve in a compulsory pledge, which, while 
limiting the numbers, makes the organization 
compact and well-disciplined. 

The following testimony will be of interest 
as coming from a pastor, and an enthusiastic 



has tested in his particular locality the com- 
pulsory pledge of that body. He says : 

*' In the union of so many organizations 
with varied interests some sacrifices could not 
be avoided ; but not all the sacrifices com- 
bined are commensurate with the great gain 
effected. The objection raised is that the new 
constitution leaves optional the pledge of heart 
purity. My experience is that such is the 
better way. We have here a large and flour- 
ishing chapter. We believe in heart purity, 
and teach and preach it. But so far as the 
Alliance pledge was concerned, it was as much 
a hinderance as a help in promoting it. Those 



Its adoption 
voluntarJ^ 



the remarkable adaptation of this 
society to widely varying needs 



Testimony of a 
pastor. 



member of the Young People's 
Methodist Alliance, and one who 



MISCELLANEO US. 



159 



who enjoyed the blessing- could hardly be said 
to need it. Those who did not, soon forgot 
their pledge, or at least failed to fulfill it in 
spite of pastoral admonition. And some of 
our most conscientious young people would 
not join on account of it, preferring to work 
with us merely as friends of the society. I 
do not think the pledge ever did us one iota 
of good. Under the new organization we are 
flourishing finely. Consolidation does not 
'militate* against our growth in grace. We 
find ourselves committed by the new consti- 
tution to the work of promoting heart purity, 
and do not intend to forget it. If any other 
chapter sees the matter in a different light it is 
granted the privilege of the pledge, and can 
work it for all it is worth. All hail the Ep- 
worth League !" 

If under other conditions a pledge be thought 
desirable, any chapter has only to adopt it as 
it is found in the by-laws for local chapters. 

A league paper may also aid in developing an 
esprit de corps, besides contributing to the gen- 
eral interests of the work. It may be A league paper 

— how con- 
conducted after one of two methods, ducted. 

It may consist of contributed articles, news 



160 



EP WOR TH L EA G UE WORKERS. 



items, editorial briefs, personals, and flashes 
of humor, written up and read, once a month, 
in connection with the regular literary pro- 
gramme. Under judicious management such 
a periodical is of real value. 

Or the league paper may be published and 
delivered at the homes represented in the 
congregation, its expense being covered by 
advertisements, or by subscription, or both, 
and its scope being broadened so that it may 
take account of all matters of interest pertain- 
ing to church work. Such a publication 
should, however, be conducted only with the 
sanction, and if possible with the supervision 
of the official board of the church, since it is 
representative, in that community, of the life 
and work of the church whose name it bears. 

Public meetings, anniversaries, conventions, 
oratorical contests, cantatas, concerts, and 
Oratorical oun- pubHc debatcs wiU all help to keep 

tests, cantatas, 

etc. alive enthusiasm for the league, 

besides impressing the community with the 
strength and work of the organization. A 
public meeting on Sunday evening may in some 
instances prove agreeable and profitable to 
both pastor and people. 



MISCELLANEO US. 



161 



Whatever be the means thought most ad- 
visable, this esprit de corps must somehow be 
kept ahve. This, however, only m The spiritual 

work the su- 

order to a higher and sublimer pur- preme thought, 
pose — the spiritual work of the league. The 
bright uniforms, the bands of music, the bat- 
talion drills, the dress parades, and the sham 
battles, all are subordinate to the one supreme 
object of preparation for actual service, so that 
when the shock and stress of battle come the 
well-trained legion may move forward in solid 
phalanx into the conflict, on whose issue may 
hinge the destiny of many an immortal soul. 

The District League, how to call the conven- 
tion, how to improve the occasion for conference 
on young people's work, the form of constitu- 
tion to adopt — all these are set forth ^. . 

^ The District 

SO clearly in the leaflet issued upon ^^"^^ue. 
this subject by the general office as to render 
unnecessary further comment. 

A district organization should be formed in 
every presiding elder's district throughout 
Methodism, and with this organization all 
Methodist young people's societies should be 
led to affiliate, as far as it is possible to induce 
them to do so. 



7 62 EP WOR TH LEAG UE WORKER S. 



The cabinet is invested with so great power 
and responsibihty in the direction of the local 
T., , . chapter that any helpful sucra;estion 

1 he cabinet and ^ J r 

Its meetings. work to bc donc in its 

meetings will be welcome. No one is more 
competent to speak upon this subject than 
Mr. B. E. Helman, of Cleveland, O., from 
whose leaflet we reprint the following items 
concerning the league cabinet, perhaps the 
observationsby most unioue provision in our plan 

Mr. B. E, Hel- . . 

man. Qf organization. With this item 

read Art. III., Sec. 2, and Art. V., Sec. 6, 
of the Epivorth League Constitution. 

" The cabinet is one of the characteristic 
features of the Epworth League. Soon after 
the election of the officers they should meet 
in cabinet session and enter at once upon the 
work of the year. The president will be chair- 
man cx officio. The pastor should be invited 
to all cabinet meetings. One of their first 
duties will be to assign the members to the 
departments for work as described elsewhere. 
This is a very important piece of work, and 
ought to be done carefully. Each officer 
should study the needs of his members and 
of his department and of the league, and 



MIS CELL A NE 0 US. 



163 



present his plans, ideas, and methods to the 
cabinet for consideration. Every matter so 
considered should be voted upon as in commit- 
tee meetings, and be made a matter of record. 

All matters decided upon in cabinet are to 
be recommended to the league, and are to be 
approved or rejected by the monthly meeting. 

It will be noticed that the cabinet body 
secures careful consideration of league interests 
and largely frees the public meetings from dis- 
cussions. It can be made a most valuable feat- 
ure of the league. We append the minutes of 
a cabinet meeting. From these one can get 
the idea of it well in mind. 

''Mimites — Last Friday evening, after prayer- 
meeting, our president called us, the six offi- 
cers elect, about the table and handed each 
one a copy of the constitution and a sheet of 
paper. He showed us how great a responsi- 
bility rests upon us in our separate fields, and 
urged us to bear the league ever on our hearts, 
and to be prayerful and earnest. The first 
matter of business was the assignment of 
members to the various departments. As we 
have merged our old society into the league, 
we decided to take as original members of our 



164 EP WOR TH LEA G UE WORKER S. 



league the members of our old organization 
The secretary then read the names of mem- 
bers, and after considering the special qualities 
of each, we assigned them, one after the other, 
to this or that department, till the roll was fin- 
ished. We had then six divisions and seven 
members in each. Each officer selected his 
committee of three out of the list of those as- 
signed to his department, and at our October 
meetino; this division and the workingr com- 
mittees that we name are to be confirmed by 
the league. 

" Following this important matter we began 
the special consideration of the work under 
each department. The department of Chris- 
tian work first occupied our attention. The 
increase of interest in our prayer-meeting 
during the last two weeks has been quite 
marked. In order to lead the Bible-reading, 
and to make it easier to speak, our first vice- 
president will ask the members to read during 
the week certain chapters. Last week we read 
the Book of Ruth, and our topic was ' Unself- 
ishness.' This week we read ' Daniel,' and 
our topic is to be 'True Nobility.' We are 
considering the advisability of having pledge- 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



165 



cards for such as feel free to sign them. By 
every means we can devise we shall seek to 
have our members testify for the Master. We 
also took under advisement mission work. 
We have too many missionary societies, and 
consequently too little life in them. Our ef- 
forts seem feeble, and the results are not en- 
couraging. We are to think this over and 
give it more time at some future meeting. 
We are also to be thinking as to the kinds of 
work to be done by each department. We 
may not be able to do all, but we shall con- 
sider carefully what we do undertake, and 
shall try to do that well. Our second vice- 
president is reading Cable's artic'_e in the Au- 
gust (1888) Century, and will report at our 
next meeting the plan she devises. That 
committee will prepare at once a programme 
for our first regular monthly meeting in Octo- 
ber. We are to have as little business to be 
transacted by the league at our meetings as 
possible ; for we expect to do that largely in 
our cabinet and committee meetings, and refer 
our decisions to the league for approval or re- 
jection. This department shall also arrange 
a programme for Old-Folks' Day, in October, 



166 



EP IVOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



and arrange with the pastor for its observance. 
The department of social work will have its 
committee seek out strangers and greet them 
at our league meetings and in the regular serv- 
ice. We want to do as much visiting as we 
can, and not only become acquainted with 
others, but see how they manage their leagues. 

" The department of correspondence came 
next. We thought that it would be best for 
the secretary to assign certain ones to carry 
on regular correspondence with our absent 
members, and others to carry on correspond- 
ence with other leagues, to learn all we can 
about methods pursued, so we may benefit by 
their experience as well by our own. In the 
department of finance we propose to manage 
our matters (keeping books, making collections, 
etc.) in as business-like ways as possible. 

''It is time for the election of our Sunday- 
school superintendent, and our fourth vice- 
president was instructed to confer with the 
person elected and advise him that we are 
ready to work under his direction and at his 
call. The advisability of holding a sociable 
before cold weather comes on was discussed 
and left with the department of entertainment 



MISCEL LANEO US. 



167 



for further consideration. The secretary was 
instructed to keep full and accurate minutes of 
each cabinet meeting and record them when 
approved by the cabinet, and make these a 
part of her report to the monthly meeting of 
the league, as required by our by-laws. After 
some further general discussion we adjourned 
to meet at the home of our president, Thurs- 
day evening, September — , i88 . 

''A. B., President. 
C. D., Secretary. 
"The Harris Epworth League, Sept. 7. 188 ." 

Since the Epworth League is a denomina- 
tional young people's society it should culti- 
vate a friendly spirit toward other Friendly spirit 

J toward other 

chapters and other young people s chapters, 
societies in Methodist churches. This may be 
done in various ways, as by receptions ten- 
dered to neighboring societies, or by friendly 
challenges to debate on denominational ques- 
tions, followed by a social hour, 

But because the Epworth League is denomi- 
national there is special reason that it vindi- 
cate itself from the suspicion of 4 Cultivation of 

interdenomina- 

narrow or bigoted spirit. While uona} spjrif. 
maintaining its distinctive character and spirit. 



168 



EP WOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



it should reach forth the hand of true Christian 
fellowship to all who love the Lord Jesus 
Christ in sincerity. In its meetings prayer 
should be offered for the prosperity of neigh- 
boring churches of other faiths. In the study 
of doctrines and ecclesiastical government, 
while careful discrimination is made as to the 
essential differences in teaching and usage, 
profoundest respect should be inspired for all, 
of whatever name or creed, who are followers 
of our common Lord, and who in varied ways 
are seeking loyally to serve the King. 

In some communities the league may pro- 
mote a friendly spirit among the denomina- 
How to use a tious by arranging a course of lect- 

course of lect- 
ures, ures, in which prominent pastors 

are to represent the character and life of some 

distinguished name in a denomination other 

than their own ; for example, the Baptist to 

lecture on John Wesley, the Presbyterian on 

Dean Stanley, the Protestant Episcopalian on 

Roger Williams, and the Methodist on John 

Calvin or John Knox. Cards of invitation 

should be given to each pastor, and for all the 

lectures, for free distribution among his people. 

In concluding this little volume, which has 



M ISC EL LANEO US. 



169 



aimed throughout to furnish in the simplest 
manner practical suggestions for the beginner 
in this particular work, it is pertinent to lay 
special emphasis upon the supreme object of 
the Epvvorth League — " to pro- The object of 

the E p w o r t h 

mote an earnest, mtelligent, prac- League, 
tical and loyal spiritual life in the young peo- 
ple of our Church, to aid them in constant 
growth in grace and in the attainment of 
puiity of heart, and to train them in works of 
mercy and help." To this spiritual aim, this 
religious work, all else is only auxiliary and 
subordinate. And happy will it be for the 
members of the league if they can carry into 
all its work the truly devotional spirit. It is 
the chief glory of the noble society of King's 
Daughters that into their manifold works of 
mercy and blessing they have borne the spirit 
of their motto, In His name." In loyal de- 
votion to Christ should all life's problems be 
mastered, its momentous conflicts fought, its 
glorious victories won. " Life," cries an en- 
thusiastic toiler, " life is a sacred burden laid 
down before you by the hand of God. Take it 
up reverently, bear it on joyfully, lay it down 
triumphantly." 



170 



EP WOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



Let us hope for the young people of 
Methodism that the Epworth League shall 
Bishop vin- reproduce in all its chapters the 
thfEFwort°h essential spirit and life of 'the old 
rector>. Epworth rcctory in Lincolnshire, of 

which Bishop Vincent writes so well: "Sweet 
home of Epworth, where reverent scholarship 
presided, where parents governed and children 
obeyed, where the Holy Scriptures were con- 
tinually quoted and habitually followed, where 
songs rose from grateful hearts to the listening 
heavens, where the voice of prayer was 
scarcely ever silent, where neighbors were col- 
lected for worship and counsel, where each 
child was brought into sacred conference with 
its mother concerning the soul, the law of God, 
the grace of Christ, and the home in heaven! 

"May our homes be full of law and liberty, 
of grace and gladness ; and from them may 
there come into Sunday-school, social meeting, 
and public service those who are well prepared 
to study the word of God diligently, pray 
reverently, sing heartily, listen attentively, and 
live consistently." 



APPENDIX. 



171 



APPENDIX. 



ENGLISH HISTORY— COURSE OF READING 
AND STUDY. 

Books marked thus (*), Seaside Library ; (+), Franklin Square Library. 

Text-Books Required. — Yonge's Young Folks' History 
of England ; ^Cliautauqua Text-Book of English History. 

Text-Book Reco-Vimended. — Green's Short History of 
the English People. 



Por General Reading. — '• England," Home College Series, 
5 cents ; Green's " History of the English People,"* four vols., 
20 cents ; Green's " The Making of England,"! 20 cents ; 
"Pictures from English History;" Freeman's "Historical 
Essays." 

I. Early History, Until Close of Conquest, A. D. 607. 

Picis, Britons, Druids, etc. See Encyclopedia. 

Roman Period. See paper on Britain and the Britains, in 
Disraeli's " Amenities of Literature." 

Anglo-Saxons. Thrupp's "Anglo-Saxon Home." Mrs. 
Charles's " The Early Dawn " and " Winter's Tale " — 
Time of Julius Agricola. Shakespeare's " Cymbeline " 
and " King Lear." 

Saxons invaded the Island about A. D. 429. Milman's 

Samor in his " Poetical Works." 
The Conqtiest, 449-607. Tennyson's " Idyls of the 
King" (A. I). 500-542). Coming of Arthur, Geraint 
and Enid, Merlin and Vivien, Lancelot and Elaine, 
The Holy Grail, Pelleas and Ettarre, Guinevere, and 
the Passing of Arthur. 



172 



EP IVOR TH LEA G UE \YORKERS. 



Lowell's "Vision, of Sir Launfal," JIatthew Ar- 
nold's "Tristram and Iseult," in his pcems ; Words- 
worth's poem "The Egyptian Maid; ' Tennyson's 
"The Lady of Shalott," Scott's "The Bridal of 
Triermain " (poem). 

TL The English King-doms, 607-1013. 

Gibbon's Roman Empire, 38th Chapter, for establishment 
of Saxon Heptarchy; Turner's "Anglo-Saxon," Scott's 
'•Sir Tristram," Scott's "Harold, the Dauntless'" — 
poem, for Danish Norse Kings and the Early Church \ 
Freeman's essay on " Mythical and Romantic Ele- 
ments in Early English History," Thos. Hughes's 
"Alfred the Great," 881-901 (Standard Library, 20 
cents), Jacob Abbott's "Alfred the Great," Donald 
G. Mitchell's " English, Lands, Letters, and Kings. 
Vol. I. From Celt to Tudor." 

III. The Middle Ages, 1013-1559. 

Tennyson's " Harold " (1066), Bulwer's " Harold," Miss 
Yonge's "Cameos," Kingsley's " Hereward the Wake." 

William the Conqueror, 1066-1087. Miss Roberts's 
"Malcolm;" Disraeli's paper on the "Anglo-Nor- 
mans," in " Amenities of Literature ; " Abbott's 
"William the Conqueror." 

The Planiagenets, 1154-1399. 

Crusades. See Encyclopedia. Scott's " The Betrothed,"* 
for the Welsh border, and preparations for the thii-d 
cntsade. 

Richard the lion-hearied. Scott's " The Talisman "f 
and "Ivanhoe,"* Mrs. F. D. Hemans's poem "The 
Troubadour," Miss Strickland's "Life of Berengaria." 
Queen of Richard I. 

jfohii^ 1199-1216. Shakespeare's "King Jolin" (Scott's 
" Ivanhoe " presents John while yet Prince). 

Henry III., 1216-1272. Wordsworth "The Borderers. 
A Tragedy." 



APPENDIX. 



173 



Edward III., 1327-1377. For lively picture of the times, 
read Chaucer's " Canterbury Tales." 

Richard II., 1377-1399. Shakespeare's " Richard the 
Second ; " fot Wat Tyler's Insurrection, Ainsworth's 
" Merrie England." 

Robift Hood. (Appears in Scott's " Ivanhoe. ") 

Houses of Lancaster and York. 1399-1461-1485. 

Henry IV.., 1 399-141 3 Shakespeare's " Henry IV." 

Lollards. See Encyclopedia. Emily S. Holt's " Mis- 
tress Margery." 

Henry V., 1413-1422. Shakespeare's " Henry V." 

Henry F/., 1422-1461. Shakespeare's *' Henry VI.," 
Abbott's " Margaret of Anjou," Queen of Henry VI. 

Richard III, 1483-1485. Shakespeare's " Richard III.," 

Sir John Beaumont's *' Bosworth Field." 
Wars of the Roses, 1454-1485. Buhver's "The Last of 
the Barons," for Earl of Warwick, the king-maker. 

Henry VIII., 1 509-1547, Shakespeare's " Henry VIII., 
Ainsworth's " Windsor Castle,"* Miihlbach's Henry 
VIII., or Catharine Parr, "Ainsworth's " Tower Hill " 
— 1538 to Execution of Catharine Howard; Miss 
Strickland's " The Pilgrims of Walsingham," wherein 
Henry, Charles V., Anne Boleyn, and others tell stories ; 
James's " Darnley," introduces Wolsey and ends with 
The Field of the Cloth of Gold Miss Strickland's 
"Catharine Parr," and sketches of other Queens. 

For general reference. Freeman's Essays, Epochs 
of History Series. Donald G. Mitchell's "From Celt 
to Tudor." 

IV. The Reformation and Elizabeth, 1559-1603. 

For summary see Fisher's " Reformation," Chap. X, 
Froude's paper on Erasmus and Luther in " Short 
Studies." 

HiStoiy of the English Bible. 

Lady Jane Grey, 1553-1558. Tennyson's "Queen 
Maiy." (Drama.) Mrs. F D. Hemans's " English 
12 



174 



EP IVOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



Martyrs." (Dramatic Scene.) E. S. Holt's " Robin 
Treinayne," for persecutions. See McClintock & 
Strong's Encyclopedia, article " Mary." 

Elizabeth, 1558-1603, Miss Aiken's "Memoirs of the 
Court of Elizabetli," Mrs. Forrester's "Queen Eliza- 
beth's Garden,"* Kingsley's "Westward, Ho!" 
Scott's " Kenilworth,"* Macaulay's Essays on "Bacon" 
and "Lord Burleigh," Wordsworth's poem, "The 
White Doe of Rylstone." 

Spanish Armada. Macaulay's poem, "Armada." 
William Shakespeare. Home College Series, "Shake- 
speare," or consult Encyclopedia. 

Ma7-y^ Qiieen of Scots. Miss Yonge's "Unknown to 
History,"* Abbott's " Mary, Queen of Scots." 

V. The Civil Wars, the Puritans, the Restoration, 
1603-1688. 

yanies I., 1603-1625. Scott's "The Fortunes of Nigel," 
for London, character of James I., excellent picture of 
manners ; Ainsworth's "Guy Fawkes " and "The Star 
Chamber," Mrs. Hemans's "Arabella Stuart." 
(Civil war began with Battle of Edgehill, 1642.) 

Commonwealth, 1649^1660. Scott's "Woodstock," after 
battle of Worcester, mainly in fall of 165 1 ; Mrs. 
Charles's "The Draytons and Davenants," and " On 
Both Sides of the Sea." 

Cromwell. Paxton Hood's " Life of Cromwell." (Standard 
Series, 25 cents.) 

Milton. Home College Series, " Milton ; " Butler's " Hudi- 
bras," with Gray's Notes (satirical poems) ; Dryden's 
poem, "Absalom and Achitophel " ( political satire ), 
Scott's poem " Rokeby," Macaulay's Essays on 
"Hampden" and "Milton," Disraeli's " Curiosities of 
Literature," several papers. 

The Restoration and Charles II., 1660-1685. Scott's " Pev- 
eril of the Peak," covers 1660-16S0, and treats of Cava- 
lier and Roundhead, Roman Catholic plot, intrigues 
of Buckingham, etc. 



APPENDIX, 



175 



Lord Russell Beheaded^ 1683. James's " Russell, a Tale of 
the Reign of Charles 1 1. ; "* Rev. A. Reed's "Ida Vane, 
a Tale of the Restoration."* 

The Great Plague^ 1664-1665. 

The Great Fire in London, 1666, Ainsworth's "Old St. 
Paul's,"* Dryden's poem " Annus Mirabilis; " Pepys's 
"Diary," for debased character of society during resio- 
T-ation under Charles II. ; Macdulay's History, Chaps. 
2, 3, 4, for summary of reign of Charles II. ; Macaulay's 
Essay on " Sir William Temple." 

yames II., i68g-l68S. Giberne's '* Aimec," Sunday-school 
Library, No. 1032, a tale of the days of James II. 
Dryden's " The Hind and the Panther," a polemical 
poem ; Macaulay's Essays on " Mackintosh's History." 
Consult Emerson's "English Traits." 

Literature. Donald G. Mitchell's " English Lands, Let- 
ters and Kings. Vol. II. From Elizabeth to Anne.'» 

VI. Revolution of 1688 to Accession of George III., 
1760. 

William lit. and Mary., 16^9-1702. Consult Macaulay's 
great Mork fof full particulars; Defoe's "The True- 
born Englishman." 

Anne, 1702-1714. Swift's " Tale of a Tub," satire on 
Churches of Rome and England. 

Warin Flanders. Thackeray's " Henry Esmond,"* Addison's 
" The Campaign " — poem on Marlborough ; Addison's 
" Sir Roger de Covei-ley," Macaulay's Essay on "Addi- 
son " — shows Connection of literature with politics. 

Old Pretender's Rebellion, 1715-1716. Scott's " Rob Roy,"* 
Swift's "Gulliver's Travels" (Lovell's Library). 

George II., 1727-1760. Ainsworth's "The Lord Mayor of 
London," Thackeray's "The Virginians,"* James's 
"The Gipsy." 

Young Pretender's Rebellion, 1745-1746. Scott's " Wav- 

erley,"* Ainsworth's " The Good Old Times." 
Seven Years' War, 1756- 1763. 



176 



EP (FORTH LEAGUE WORKERS. 



Methodists. ]\Irs. Charles's " Diaiy of Mrs, Kitty Trevyljan," 
First chapters of Stevens's " History of Methodism," 
and parts of Tyerman's " Life of John Wesley," 

Biographical, etc. Macaulay's Essay on. **■ Walpole,"' !Mrs. 
Oliphant's Sketches of Chesterfield.- Lady Mary Mon- 
tague, Alexander Pope, John, and William Hogarth ; 
Charles Reade's "Peg Woffington,"* Goldsmith's 
"Citizen of the World" — a Chinese philosoplier in 
England. George IL Scott's- '* Tales of a Grand- 
father." 

Art. See the satirical productions of Hogarth. 

Vn. From Accession of George II L to Accession of 
Victoria, 1 760-1 837, 

George III., 17601S20, Scott's "'The Surgeon's Daughter/' 
Ainsworth's "Lord INIayor of London," Wolcott's 
( Peter Pindar^s) political satires. 

Gordon Riots , \']Zo. Dickens's " Barnaby Rudge,"* ]\Irs. 
Charles's " Against the Stream," Campbell's poems, 
"Ye Mariners of England," " Hohenlinden," "Battle 
of the Baltic," " Burial of Sir John IMooi-e ;" James's 
" Aims and Obsiacles" — Campaign of 1S15. 

Biogi-aphical. Disraeli's " Venetia,"* Miss Thackeray's 
"Miss Angel" — Angelica Kaufman, Sir Joshua Rey- 
nolds, and others. 

Man7iers. Goldsmith's " The Vicar of Wakefield " (Lovell's 
Libraiy), Emily S. Holt's "Ashcliffe Hall," Miss 
Edgeworth's "Belinda " — middle and aristocratic life ; 
Goldsmith's comedy " She Stoops to Conquer ;" Thack- 
eray's "Vanity Fair."* 

Rural Life. Goldsmith's poem " The Deserted Village,' 
Irving's " Bracebridge Hall " — countiy gentleman's 
estate. 

Political Life. Mrs. Barbauld's poem " Eighteen Hundred 

and Eleven." 
Seaboard Life. Crabbe's poem " Tlie Borough." 

Macaulay's two essays on " Earl of Chatham ; " also 



APPENDIX. 



177 



his essays on "Clive" and "Hastings;" Miss Mar- 
tineau's '.' England Since the Peace," 1816-54; Tre- 
vel^an's " Life of Macaulay" — delightful reading. 
George TV. See Encyclopedia on Palmerston and Brougham, 
William IV., 1830-1837. George Eliot's " Felix Holt,"* — 
Toryism. 

VlII. Victoria's Reign from Beginning until the Pres- 
ent, 1837-1889. 

Victoria, 1837. Disraeli's " Sybil,"* Kingsley's " Alton 
Locke."* 

Criniepn War, 1844-1845. Tennyson's " The Charge of 
the Light Brigade," Kingsley's " Ravenshoe." 

Indian Revolt^ 1857. Tom Hood's " Love and Valor," 
Boucicault's "Jessie Brown, or Siege ©f Lucknow." 

London Life. Dickens's "Oliver Twist,"* — workhouse 
abuses and London thieves ; Dickens's " Nicholas 
Nickleby"* — Yorkshire schools,, provincial theaters, etc. 

Provincial Towns. George Eliot's Middlemarch,"* Miss 
Sewell's " Margaret Percival,"' — country gentry. 

Lifein Wale^. Mrs. Hemans's '" Welch Melodies." 

Manufacturing Districts. Mrs. Martineau's " A Man- 
chester Strike/' Miss Bronte's ■'':Shirley."* 

Political Aspects. Disraeli's " Vivian Grey,"* — the author 
and his enemies ; Disraeli's " Coningsby,"* — Croker, 
Marquis of Hertford ; Bulwer's " The New Timon," — 
poetical satire; Trollope's "The Prime Minister;" 
Wilkie Collins's " The Woman am White " — Italian 
refugees in England. 

Faihionadl£ Life. Ainsworth's '' Crichton," Bulwer's " Pel- 
ham,"* Miss Yonge's " Heaartsease "* — contrast of 
humble and jpeerage life. 

Country Life. Mrs. Erskine's "Wyncote," T. Hardy's 
"Far from the Madding Crowd." 

Middle and Lozt) Life. Miss Yonge's " The Daisy Chain." 

Theological Mov^merits. Disraeli's " Tancred,"* — defense 
of the Jews. 



178 



EP IVOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



Hi-^h Church and Ritualism. Miss Yonge's " The Heir of 

Redclyffe."* 
Roman Catholics. Disraeli's " Lothair."* 
Artist Life. Williie Collins's " Hide and Seek." 
Piisoji Abuses. Charles Reade's "Never Too Late to 

Mend." 

Dickens's "Pickwick Papers,"* — debtors' prison. 

Private Lnsaiie Asylums C- Reade's '' Hard Cash." 

Reforms. Dickens's "Bleak House, "*--^delays in Court of 
Chajicery; Dickens's "Little Dorritt,"* Reade's " Put 
Yourself in His Place,'""* — trades-unions; Jenkins's 
''Ginx's Baby " — satire on poor laws; Jenkins's " Devil'if 
Chain " — liquor traffic ; Jenkins's " Little Hodge "— • 
labor and capital. 

Social Changes. j\L-s. Browning's "Aurora Leigh," Wilkie 
Collins's " The Law and the Lady '■'* — woman's legal 
rights. 

Academic Life . T. Hughes''s " Tom Brown at Rugby."* 
University Life. T. Hughes's " Tom Brown at Oxford "* 

(Lovell's Library), Thackeray's " Pendennis."* 
Countiy Nobility. Trollope's " The Duke's Children."* 
General P7'ogress. Mackenzie's " History of the Nineteenth 

Century." 

Note. — While few, if any, will be expected to read the entire course 
during the year, it is urgently requested tiiat members shall make selec- 
tions under each period and read consecutivelj^ in accord with the pro- 
grammes of successive meetings of the League. 



APPENDIX, 



179 



With the consent of the authorities at the general office we 
enter here, for the convenience of the reader, the following 
Epworth Leaflets : 

I. THE EPWORTH LEAGUE. 



1. The object of the Epworth League is to promote intel- 
ligent and loyal piety in the young members and friends of 
the Church ; to aid them in the attainment of purity of heart 
and in constant growth in grace, and to train them in works 
of mercy and help. It is a ''general" or a "parent" society 
with which local Leagues or Young People's Societies shall be 
in affiliation, and to which they shall be auxiliary, provided 
they desire to accept the regulations and conditions. 

2. The Epworth League was instituted at a conference of 
representatives of all the general Young People's Societies in 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, held in Cleveland, O., on 
Tuesday and Wednesday, May 14 and 15, i88g. The follow- 
ing societies were represented by accredited delegates : The 
Young People's Methodist Alliance, the Oxford League, the 
Young People's Christian League, the Young People's Meth- 
odist Union, and the Young People's Methodist Episcopal 
Alliance of the North Ohio Conference. Each society and 
its features were duly presented, a spirit of mutual concession 
was shown, and after thorough discussion and earnest prayer 
it was unanimously resolved that all existing societies be 
merged into one new society for the entire Church, to be 
called " The Epworth League." The various societies in due 
time ratified the action of their representatives and united 
with the League ; the Boards of the Sunday-School Union and 
Tract Society recognized the Epworth League as a part 
of their work ; and the Bishops of the Church, in Novem- 
ber, l88g, gave it their approval. The Epwcrt'.i League, 



ISO EP WORTH LEAGUE WORKERS. 



therefore, stands as the of?i:iriI Young People's Society for the 
entire Methodist Episccpa.! Church. 

3- The Epworth League is governed by a Board of Control, 
which is chosen as follows: Five members are appointed by 
the Board of Bishops ; five members are appointed by the 
Board of Managers of the Sunday-School Union, of whom 
the Corresponding Secretary of the Union shall be one ; five 
members are appointed by the Board of Managers of the 
Tract Society ; and two members from each General Confer- 
ence district — these being chosen as the organization in each 
General Conference district may desire. the members of 
this board continue in office for the term of two years, or un- 
til their successors are elected. The Board of Control meets 
annuall)'^ at such time and place as has been designated at its 
previous session. 

4- Any young people's society in a Methodist Episcopal 
church may become an affiliated Chapter of the Epworth 
League, provided that it adopts the name of the League, that 
its President and officers are approved by the pastor and 
Official Board or Quarterly Conference, and that it sends an 
application for Charter to the Corresponding Secretary, Rev. 
Jesse L. HrRLBUT, 150 Fifth Avenue, New York, Each 
Chapter receives from the Central Office a Charter, and is 
numbered on the roll of the League. The Charter is sent out 
in two forms : a small one printed on a card, free ; a large 
and handsome Charter suited for framing, if twer.r\--Sve cents 
be inclosed with the application. 

5. It is recommended that all new societies take the name 
Epworth League ; but the name is not required. Any Young 
People's Society fulfilling the conditions may be accepted as 
an affiliated Chapter, whatever may be its name or other re- 
lationship. Communications will be sent from the Central 
Office to all the Chapters, and reports wUl be expected from 
all the Chapters as often as requested by the Corresponding 
iSecretary. 

6. A form of Constitution for local Leagues has been pre- 
pared (see Epworth Leaflet Xo, 2). and will be seut free on 



APPENDIX. 



ISl 



application. By this Constitution the work of the League is 
divided into six departments, each under the charge of a com- 
mittee. The departments are : i. Christian Work. 2. Mercy 
and Help. 3. Literary Work. 4. Entertainment. 5. Corre- 
spondence. 6. Finance. The heads of the departments, to- 
gether with the President and the pastor, constitute the 
Cabinet or Executive Committee for the management of the 
I>eague. 

7. The local Leagues upon each presiding elder's district 
should be united in a district League, for mutual benefit and 
for the increase of the organization, and conventions should 
be held annually or semi-annually. The plan of district 
organization is given in Epworth Leaflet No. 8, " The Dis- 
trict League." It is recommended also that all the Leagues 
in the territory of an Annual Conference unite in a conven- 
tion, for which the afternoon and evening previous to the 
session of the Annual Conference may be suitable, in order 
to bring together the pastors and young people of the Con- 
ference. 

8. Each General Conference district should also hold a 
convention, composed of representatives chosen, either from 
from the districts, or directly from all the Leagues within the 
territory of the General Conference district. This convention 
sliall elect biennially two members of the Board of Control of 
the general League. 

9. Each local League may decide for itself whether it de- 
sires a pledge as a requisite of membership. Such Leagues 
as prefer the pledge may adopt an article provided in the 
local Constitution, dividing the membership into two classes, 
native and associate ; and requiring a pledge from the active 
members. But the pledge is left optional with each local 
League. It may be required, or it may be offered to the 
members, or it may be omitted by the local League. It 
is printed upon sheets and upon cards for general circula- 
tion. 

10. A series of Reading Courses for the Epworth League 
has been prepared, and is explained in Epworth Leaflet 



182 



EP IVOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



No. 4. These courses embrace the Bible, the doctrines, his- 
tory, biography, and religious life of Methodism, travel, art, 
science, etc. They are not required, but are recommended to 
the members. Diplomas and seals will be awarded to mem- 
bers who pursue them. In order to provide for individual 
readers who are not connected with local Leagues a Certifi- 
cate has been prepared for readers, on which a seal is affixed 
for each Course of Reading pursued. Price of the Certificate, 
including postage, ten cents. In September, 1890, one An- 
nual Reading Course for all members will be offered in place 
of those now provided. 

11. From June i, i8go, the organ of the Epworth Teague 
will be The Epworth Herald, the paper established by the 
Book Committee, published by Cranston & Stowe, Chicago, 
and edited by the Rev. Joseph F. Berry, D.D. It will con- 
tain the lists of Leagues, reports from local Chapters, com- 
munications from the Central Office, plans of work, articles 
upon the several departments of the League, and much that 
will be interesting and helpful to members. Every young 
person should be a subscriber, and each Chapter will need 
it to be informed upon the work of the League. Its price 
will be %\ 50 to single subscribers, $l 25 each to clubs of 
five, $1 each to clubs of ten, and So cents each to clubs of 
twenty-five, with an extra copy to the getter-up of the 
club in each case. To pastors, $1. Terms invariably cash in 
advance. A club for this paper should be formed in every 
League. 

12. The color of the Epworth League is a white ribbon 
containing a scarlet thread woven through it lengthwise. 
A handsome metal badge has also been prepared, which 
may be worn either as a charm or as a pin. Both ribbon 
and badge may be ordered through the Methodist Book 
Concern 

13. By appointment of the Executive Committee, the sec- 
ond Sunday in May, annually, is designated as the Epworth 
League anniversary, to be observed in commemoration of the 
institution of the League, on May 15, 1SS9. Special services 



APPENDIX. 



183 



should be held on this day by every League, and an offering 
is recommended to be made to the treasury, to defray the ex- 
penses of the general League. This should be sent to the 
Treasurer, Rev. J. M. Freeman, D.D., 150 Fifth Avenue, 
New York. 

14. The needs of those who are too young for membership 
in the League are provided for in The Junior League, pre- 
paratory to the Epworth I>eague." Tliis is admirably adapted 
to the boys and girls, and may be organized in any church. 
Information concerning it is given in the Epworth Leaflet 
No. 5, " The Junior League," and No. 6, *' Constitution and 
By-laws of the Junior League." 

15. No fee of membership is required by the general 
League, and no assessments are made upon the local Chap- 
ters, but each local Chapter is at liberty to establish a fee of 
membership if it desires, 

16. For single copies of the Epworth Leaflets, blank forms 
of application for Charter, and information generally, address 
Rev. Jesse L. Hurlbut, Corresponding Secretary of the 
Epworth League, [50 Fifth Avenue, New York. 

For the leaflets in quantity, badges, ribbon, and pledge- 
cards, address the Methodist Book Concern, Hunt & |Iaton, 
New York, Detroit, New Orleans, and San Francisco, or 
Cranston & Stowe, Cincinnati, Chicago, and St, Louis. 



Indorsement of the Bishops, 

At the meeting of the Bishops in November, jSSg, the fol- 
lowing resolution was passed : 

Resolved, That we heartily approve the consolidation of 
the various Young People's Societies of our Church into the 
one organization known as The Epworth League, and 
strongly recommend our pastors and people to give the 
League their active co-operalion. 

C. D. Foss, 
Secretary of the Board of Bishops. 



184 



EP IVOR TH LEAGUE WORKER S. 



General Officfrs. 

Corresponding Secretary, Rev. Jesse L. Hurlbut, D.D., 
150 Fifth Avenue, New York. 

Recording Se£retary, Robert R. Doherty, Ph.D., 150 
Fifth Avenue, New York. 

Tj:easMrer, JIev., James Freemax, D.D., 150 Fifth 
Avenue, New York. 

Tlie clbov^, with .the following, constitute the Executive 
Comniiittefi:: 

O. L. Doty, Cleveland, O.. 

I^e.v. ;Lyman ,E. Prentiss,, Knoxville, Tenn. 

Rey. Arthur JEdwards, D..D.„ 57 Washington Street, 
Chicago. 

W. W.iCoQEER,: St. Joseph, MicK 



(GENERAL COJ^STITUTION. 

.Article I.— ^STame. 
This Society sluall be'known. as lli£ Epworth League of the 
^Methodist Episcopal .Ghucch. 

.AiRTICLE :ri.— ^ObJIECT. 

The object of the 'I^eague is ;to 'promote intelligent and 
loyal piety in the young m-embers and friends of the Church, 
to aid them in the attainment of purity of heart and in 
constant growth in grace, ;,and .to traixi them in works of 
mercy and help. 

Article IIL — Membership. 

Any young people's society may become a Chapter of the 
Epworth League, provided it .adopt the aim and general plans 
of the League, and \hat its president and officers and general 
i plans of work be approved by the pastor and Official Board 
' or Quarterly Conference, and it ibe .enrollfd at the central 
toffice. 



APPENDIX. 



185 



Article IV.— Government. 

The Epworth League sliall be governed by a Board ol 
Control, to be chosen as follows : Five members to be ap- 
pointed by the Board of Bishops; five members to be appointed 
by the Board of Managers of the Sunday-School Union, of 
whom the Corresponding Secretary of tlie Union shall be one ; 
five members to be appointed by the Board of Managers of 
the Tract Society; and two members from each General Con- 
ference district — these to be chosen as the organization in 
each General Conference district may desire. All the mem- 
bers of this board shall continue in office for the term of two 
years, or until tlieir successors are elected. The Board of 
Control shall meet annually at such- time and place as it shall 
designate at its previous session. 

Article V. — Officers. 

The officers of the General Leagu c shall be a Corresponding 
Secretary, a Recording Secretary, and a Treasurer. There 
shall also be an executive committee of seven, three of whom 
shall be the officers named. At least four of the seven shall 
be chosen from the representatives of the Board of Control 
from the General Conference districts — all these officers and 
members of the Executive Committee to be elected by ballot 
by the Boara oi Control at each annual meeting. 

Article VI. — Amendments. 

This Constitution may be amended at any annual meeting 
of the Board of Control by a two-thirds vote of those present 
and voting, notice having been given three months previously 
to the Executive Committee and published in the organ of 
the Epworth League. 

[For changes made in the above Constitution see Methodist Discipline, 
paragraphs 324-328. Also note that other General Officers have been 
elected. For information address Rev. E. A. Sc'nell, D.D., Correspond- 
ing Secretary, 57 Washington Street, Chicago, 111.] 



1 86 EP WOR TH LEAGUE WORKERS. 



II. CONSTITUTION FOR LOCAL CHAP- 
TERS OF THE EPWORTH LEAGUE. 



\_As Revised by the Board of Control, at Cleveland, 1892.] 



Article I. — Name. 
This organization sliall be known as the Epworth League 

of the Methodist Episcopal Church of , and shall be 

subordinate to the Quarterly Conference of said church and a 
Chapter of the Epworth League of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. 

Article II. — Object. 
The object of the League is to promote intelligent and 
vital piety in the young members and friends of the Church , 
to aid them in the attainment of purity of heart and in con- 
stant growth in grace, and to train them in works of mercy 
and help. 

Article III. — Membership. 

1. Members shall be constituted by election of the Chapter, 
on nomination of the President, after approval by the Cabinet. 

2. The Pastor shall be ex officio a member of the Chapter 
and the Cabinet.* 

Article IV. — Dlpartments. 
The work of the League shall be carried out through six 
departments, as follows : 

1. Dei->artment of Spiritual Work. 

2. Department of Mercy and Help. 

3. Department of Literary Work. 

4. Department of Social Work. 

5. Department of Correspondence. 

6. Department of Finance. 

* Wherever a Chapter so decides there shali be two classes of members, 
active and associate. Active members shall, in addition to election as 
provided in Section i, sub>cribe to the following pledge: 



APPENDIX. 



187 



The distribution of work under each department shall be 
as foliows : 

I. Department of Spiritual Work. — This department shall 
arrange for the regular prayer-meetings of the Chapter. It 
may also plan special revival meetings and neighborhood out- 
door and cottage services and the like. It shall look after 
the spiritual welfare of the members of the Chapter, inviting 
those who are interested to join the classes of the Church. It 
may conduct children's prayer-meetings or devotional meet- 
ings for special classes of persons, as sailors, railroad men, 
etc. It shall help the superintendent in building up and 
strengthening the Sunday-school. It shall also endeavor to 
interest the young people in the missionary enterprises of the 
Church. To it shall be committed all the evangelistic and 
devotional activities of the Chapter. Where the work of the 
League is so divided that the different departments inter- 
weave their efforts,- the Department of Spiritual Work shall 
arrange for the devotional services in sociables, lectures, and 
all such meetings. 

II. Department of Mercy and Ilcip. — This department shall 
arrange for the systematic visitation of the members of the 
Chapter, the sick of the neighborhood, the aged, and new- 
comers to the community. It shall interest the League in the 
charities of the place, and plan to give aid when needed. It 
shall have charge of temperance work, social purity work,- 
tract distribution, and tlie like. All kinds of charitable woric 
when undertaken by the Chapter, such as visiting hospitals, 
nursing, distributing flowers, starting industrial schools, run- 



I will earnestly seek for mj'self, and do what I can to help others attain, 
the highest New Testament standard of experience and life. I will 
abstain from all those fornis of worldly amusement forbidden by the 
Discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church. And I will attend, so 
far as possible, the religions meetings of the Chap.er and the church, 
and take some active part in iherri. 

In such cases active members only shall be eligible to election as officers 
of the Chapter. Associate members shall be entitled to all other privi- 
leges of membership. 



1 88 EP WOR TH LEAG UE WORKER S. 



ning employment bureaus, coffee-houses, day nurseries, etc., 
shall be under its care. 

III. Department of Literary Work. — It shall be the aim of 
this department to encourage the study of the Scripiures, to 
instruct the membership of the Chapter in the doctrines, 
polity, history, and present activities of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church and the other denominations of the Church 
universal, and to give stimulus and direction to general Chris- 
tian culture. It shall have charge of all courses of reading 
and study pursued by the Chapter. It may open, wherever 
practicable, libraries, reading-rooms, art-rooms, night-schools, 
and the like. It shall arrange for lectures and literary gather- 
ings, vi'hen members of the Chapter and others shall present 
essays, papers, talks, debates, etc. It shall endeavor to ex- 
tend the circulation of the books and papers of the Church, 
and do what it can to quicken the intellectual life of its mem- 
bers and the community. 

IV. Department of Social Work. — This department shall 
be on the lookout for new members, and be ready to receive 
them and introduce them at all meetings of the Chapter. It 
shall have charge of the social part of all gatherings. The 
music of the Chapter and its entertainments, other than the 
literary programmes, shall be under its care. It may provide 
flowers for the pulpit, ushers when needed, and attend to pro- 
curing badges, emblems, banners, decorations, etc., and be 
the custodian of all such effects belonging to the Chapter. 
Picnics, excursions, and the like shall l)e under its care. 

V. Department of Correspondence. — Tliis department shall 
keep a complete record of the membership, of all the meet- 
ings, and of all courses of reading and study pursued by the 
Chapter. It is desirable that it send reports of its meetings 
to local papers. Also, that it keep copies of all programmes, 
nevi^spaper and other notices of its affairs, and all memoratilia 
relating to its doings. It may carry on correspondence with 
absent members and other Chapters, and read the replies at 
the meetings of the Chapter as the Chapter may order. It 
shall conduct all correspondence with the central and district 



APPENDIX. 



1S9 



offices, and be the custodian of all the records of the Chapter. 
By it members in good standing shall be recommended to 
other Chapters. 

VI. Depariinent of Finance. — This department shall pre- 
sent to the Chapter plans for meeting the financial needs of 
the Chapter. It shall collect ail dues and receive all moneys, 
disbursing the same as the Chapter may direct. All matters 
involving an expenditure of money shall be referred to it for 
consideration before the final action of the Chapter. 

Article V. — Officers. 

1. The officers shall be a President, First Vice-President, 
Second Vice-President, Third Vice-President, Fourth Vice- 
President, Secretary, and Treasurer. 

2. The President, who shall be a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, shall be elected by ballot on a majority 
vote. The other officers, who shall be members of tlie Meth- 
odist Episcopal or some other evangelical Church,* shall be 
elected in the same manner. 

3. All officers must be approved by the Quarterly Confer- 
ence or the Official Board. 

4. After approval by the Quarterly Conference or Official 
Board the names of the officers, with their addresses, shall 
be promptly forwarded to the central office of the Epworth 
League. 

5. The officers shall perform the duties usually assigned to 
such officers. They shall also, in the order named, beginning 
with the First Vice-President, represent, and have charge of, 
the Departments of Spiritual Work, Mercy and Help, Liter- 
ary Work, Social Work, Correspondence, and Finance. 
They shall, together with the President and Pastor, consti- 
tute the Cabinet of the Chapter, aiding the President as he 
may i-equest. 

6. For the purpose of enlisting all in the work, and render- 



* In all those cases where the Chapter is dividerl into active and asso- 
ciate members this clause should read, " who shall be active members." 
1.} 



190 



EP WOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



ing it more eftective, the Cabinet shall assign each meniher to 
at least one department of work. Each Cabinet officer shall 
name to the Chapter a committee of from three to five mem- 
bers for the management of his department, the officer being 
ex officio chairman, 

7. It shall be the duty of the Cabmet to organize a Junior 
League, under the control of a Superintendent, to be ap- 
pointed by the Pastor. The Superintendent shall be a mem- 
ber ex officio of the Cabinet. 

Article VI. — Meetings. 

The Chapter shall hold a devotional meeting on 

evening of each week, to be led by one of the members of 
the Chapter under the direction of the Committee on Spiritual 
Work. Other meetings shall be held as the Cabinet may ar- 
range for them. 

Article VII.— By-laws and Amendments. 
The Chapter may adopt such By-laws consistent with the 
Constitution as may be needed. Amendments to Constitution 
or Bv-law5 must be submitted in writing to the Cabinet, and 
vs-hen approved by it may be adopted by a two-thirds vote of 
those present at any regular meeting. 



APPENDIX. 



191 



III. BY-LAWS FOR LOCAL CHAPTERS 
OF THE EPWORTH LEAGUE. 



[As revised by the Board of Control^ at Chicago, Feb. 6, 7, l8go.] 



I. How TO Organize. 
The following steps are recommended in the organization 
of a Local Chapter of the Epworth League : 

1. Let the pastor of the church or some member send to the 
Corresponding Secretary, Rev. J. L. HURLBUT, D.D., or to the 
Recording Secretary, Robert R. Doherty, Ph.D., 150 Fifth 
Avenue, New York, or to the Book Concern, or any of its 
branches, East or West, or to any member of the Executive 
Committee, for a set of the Epworth Leaflets, and the Form 
of Application for Charter. These will be sent free of charge ; 
in quantity they are sold at low rates by LIuNT & Eaton, New 
York, and Cranston & Stowe, Cincinnati and Chicago. 

2. Call together the young people, ap:ed fifteen or more ; 
present the plan of organization ; organize, and choose officers. 
The '* Model Constitution " will be found in Epworth Leaf- 
let No. 2. Its adoption is strongly recommended. 

3. Send the Form of Application for Charter, duly filled 
out, and signed by the Secretary of the Local Chapter, to the 
Recording Secretary, Robert R. Doherty, Ph.D., at the 
above address \\\ New York city. 

4. It is not necessary at once to attempt all the depart- 
ments of work arranged for by the " Model Constitution." 
Do as much as you can effectively ; leave the rest for future 
development. 



192 



EP WOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



5. For the assistance of the Chapters the following By- 
laws are presented. Each Chapter is at liberty to prepare 
its own By-laws, provided they are in accordance with the 
Constitution and general plans of the Epworth League. 

II. By-laws. 

Article i. The Chapter shall hold a devotional meeting 

weekly on evening, to be led by the members, under 

the direction of the Committee on Spiritual \York. 

Art. 2. The Chapter shall hold a Business-meeting on 

the evening of each mimth. \_I115ert in the blaiik " First 

J\fonday" " Secofid Monday" or njhatever evening may be 
chose?i.'\ 

Art. 3. At each Business-meeting all the departments 
shall present reports of their work through their respective 
chairmen. 

Art. 4. The following shall be the Order of Exercises at 
the Business-meeting : {a) Devotional sen-ice, to consist of 
singing, the reading of Scripture, and prayer by a member, or 
the Lord's Prayer by all in concert, {b') Minutes of the last 
meeting, and their approval, {c) Reports from the depart- 
ments of work, {d) Reports from Special Committees. 
{e) Unfinished business. (/) Propositions for Membership. 
(g) New Business. (//) Adjournment. 

Art. 5. At any business-meeting members shall con- 
stitute a quonim for the transaction of business. 

Art. 6. The Annual Meeting for the election of officers shall 
be held on the evening in the monlh of Januar)'. 

Art. 7. At the Annual ^Meeting each officer shall present 
a written report of the work in the department under his 
charge during the year. 

Art. S. After the election of officers the secretary of the 
meeting at which the election was held shall report in writ- 
ing to the Official Board or Quarterly Conference of the church 
the names of the officers-elect for their approval ; and, as 
soon as practicable, shall communicate tlie action of the 
Official Board upon them to the Chapter. 



APPENDIX. 



193 



Art. q. Amendments to these By-laws must be sub- 
mitted in writing to the Cabinet, and when recommended by 
the Cabinet may be adopted by a two-thirds vote of those 
present at any regular meeting. 

Art. io. Any of these By-laws, except Article 5, may be 
suspended at any meeting, for that meeting only, by a two- 
thirds vote of those who are present. 

Art. it. The following is the form for the report of the 
local League to the Quarterly Conference : 

Report of Epworth League, Chapter , Methodist 

Episcopal Churcli, Charge, District, Confer- 
ence. For Quarter. 

Number of active members 

Number of associate members 

Number of honorary members 

Total 

Number at last report 

Increase or decrease 

Number of meetings held 

Religious 

Social or literary 

Business 

The following officers have been elected to serve for the 

period of , subject to your approval : 

President, Fourth Yice-Pi-esident, 

First Yice-President, Secretary, 
Second Yice-President, Treasurer. 
Third Vice-President, 

in. Hints Concerning League Work. 

1. Endeavor to begin on time ; and for this purpose try to 
have a quorum present at the time. 

2. It is a good plan to make the business-meeting a part 
of the exercises at a literary or social meeting, and not to call 
out the members for an entire evening for business only, un- 
less it be for the Annual Meeting, when extended reports are 
to be rendered. 



194 EP WOR 7'H LEAG UE WORKERS. 



3. Conduct the business according to parliamentary nxles, 
but do not waste time over parliamentary frivolties, discus- 
sion of points of order, etc. Let business, and not techni- 
calities, be the aim of tlie meeting. 

4. Some pastors have found it well to appoint the First 
Vice-President a class-leader, and make the weekly devotional 
service of the League serve the purpose of a young people's 
class. This gives the League immediate representation in 
the Quarterly Conference, and is in many places helpful. 

[For slight changes in the above see Epworth Leaflet No. 3.] 



General Cabinet of the Board of Control. 

PRESIDENT. 

Bishop J. N. FitzGerald, New Orleans, La. 

VICE-PRESIDENTS. 

Department of Spiritual Work, W. W. Cooper, St. Joseph, 
Mich. Department of Mercy and Help, Rev. W. L Haven, 
85 Lexington Street, East Boston, Mass. Department of 
Literary Work, R. R. Doherty, 150 Fifth Avenue, New York. 
Department of Social Work, Rev. H. C. Jennings, Red Wing, 
Mma. 

GENERAL SECRETARY. 

Rev. Edwin A. Schell, 57 Washington Street, Chicago. 

GENERAL TREASURER. 

Charles E. Piper, 185 Dearborn Street, Chicago. 

ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR GERMAN WORK. 

Rev. H. Liebhart, igo West Fourth Stree t, Cincinnati, O. 

EDITOR OF " THE EPWORTH HERALD." 

Rev. J. F. Berry. 



APPENDIX. 



195 



V. THE JUNIOR LEAGUE. 



1. There is need of a society in the Methodist Episcopal 
Church for the boys and girls, to be for them what the Ep- 
worth League is for our young people. The League does not 
admit members under fourteen years of age, and cannot adapt 
its plans to the children without interfering with their suc- 
cess among adults. But the children, no less than the young 
people, need to be trained in knowledge of the Bible, in the 
doctrines and institutions of the Church, and in Christian 
character. We have, therefore, established an organization, 
preparatory and auxiliary to the Epworth League, eepecially 
for- the boys and girls of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to 
be called The Junior League, 

2. The Junior League may be organized in any church or 
locality, whether the Epworth League is already iu existence 
there or not. Wherever there is a Chapter of the Epworth 
League, the Junior League should be considered a depart- 
ment of its work, and should be so reported to the Central 
Office ; though its membership should be enrolled and re- 
ported separately, and not as a part of the League's enroll- 
ment. The Junior League shall have its own charter, its own 
officers, and its own list of members, but will be the training- 
class for the Epworth League, 

3. The Junior League in connection with any church may 
be organized by the pastor, or by any person designated by 
him. A class for religious instruction (as directed in the Dis- 
cipline, paragraph 40), or a Children's Meeting, or a Look- 
up Legion, or a Ten of the King's Daughters or of the King's 
Sons, may be recognized as a chapter of the Junior League. 
In all cases tlie officers of the Junior League should be ap- 
proved by the pastor, and the work should be under his 
general supervision. 



196 



EP WOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



4. The officers of the Junior League shall be as follows: 

1. ) A President, who should be the pastor of tlie church, 
or some suitable person appointed or approved by him. 

2. ) A Vice-President, to be nominated by the President. 

3. ) A Secretary, to keep the record of the meetings, and 
to present a quarterly report (upon blanks furnished for the 
purpose) to the Rev. J. L. Hurlbut, D.D., Corresponding 
Secretary of the Epworth League, at the Central Office, 150 
Fifth Avenue, New York. 

4. ) A Treasurer, if any fees shall be required in the Junior 
League, or any funds shall be used in its work. 

5. ) An Executive Committee, which may consist of the 
Leaders or Committees in charge of the several departments 
of work. 

5. The following departments of Avork are suggested for 
the Junior League : 

1. ) Department of Devotional Work. This shall hold a 
devotional meeting for boys and girls ; or a meeting for boys 
and another for girls, under separate leaders, if desired. In 
this meeting young Christians should be trained to take part, 
in repeating texts of Scripture, in personal testimony, and in 
prayer. Such meetings are often held on Sunday afternoon, 
immediately after the close of the Sunday-school, where the 
school is in the afternoon. 

2. ) Department of Instruction for teaching the Bible, the 
doctrines and institutions of the Church, and in Cliristian 
character. This meeting is generally held on an afternoon 
during the week, Friday being the most convenient, and is 
frequently called " The Children's Hour." 

3. ) Department of Temperaitce Work. A meeting, either 
weekly, monthly, or quarterly, may be held under tlie 
auspices of this department, or a " Band of Hope " may be 
organized as a chapter ; and tlie members may sign and cir- 
culate the pledge. 

4. ) Department of Practical Work, such as the distribu- 
tion of tracts and papers under direction of the pastor, pro- 
viding flowers for the church services, and taking them after- 



APPENDIX. 



197 



ward to the sick and the aged, reading to the blind and in- 
valids, making scrap-albums for hospitals, aiding in sewing- 
schools, bringing children to church and Sunday-school, 
Avorkmg for home and foreign missions, preparing Christmas 
and Thanksgiving baskets for the poor, and doing " lend-a- 
hand " work generally. 

5. ) Department of Entertainment. This may constitute a 
part of the programme of " The Juniors' Class " or " The 
Children's Hour " at its weekly meeting ; or once a month 
the whole hour may be given to declamations, dialogues, 
readings, vocal and instrumental music, and other entertain- 
ing exercises by the members of the Junior League. 

Each Junior League may select as many departments of 
work as may be deemed practicable ; and may carry on each 
department under a separate Leader, or the whole work may 
be directed by the President, with such assistants as he may 
choose. 

6. Upon application to Rev. J. L. HuRLBUT, D.D., Cor- 
responding Secretary of the Epworth League, 150 Fifth Ave- 
nue, New York, each Junior League will be furnished with a 
Charter, which may be framed and hung in the place of 
meeting. The price of this Charter will be twenty-five cents. 
Blank forms of application for Charter may be obtained from 
the Central Office, by addressing the Secretary. Each Junior 
League will be expected to furnish reports of its working to 
the Central Office, and will receive communications from the 
Corresponding Secretary. 

7. Any member of the Junior League may also receive a 
handsome Certificate of Membership, with places for Seals, 
to be gained by study of the courses named below. Appli- 
cation for this Certificate must be made through the Secre- 
tary of the Junior League ; and ten cents should be sent for 
each Certificate. The Charter is for the local League ; the 
Certificate for the individual members. 

8. Courses of study have been provided, and may be taken 
either by the League in the Children's Hour, or by any mem- 
ber separately. With each course is furnished a series of 



198 EP WORTH LEAGUE WORKERS. 



questions for examination, and the student who passes will 
receive a Seal for each course, to be affixed to his Certifi- 
cate. The following courses have been arranged, and may- 
be taken in any order desired, not necessarily in the order 
given : 

1. ) The Four Gospels to be read, and questions to be an- 
swered. 

2. ) The Acts and Epistles to be read, and questions to be 
answered. 

3. ) The Bible Lesson Leaflets. First Series, containing 
lessons on the Books of the Bible, Bible History, and the 
Holy Land. Seven leaflets. 3 cents. 

4. ) The Bible Lesson Leaflets. Second Series. Eight les- 
sons on Old Testament characters. 4 cents. 

5. ) The Bible Lesson Leaflets. Third Series. Seven les- 
sons on the life of the apostle Paul. 3 cents. 

6. ) The Palestine Class. Pilgrim Grade. 2 cents. 

7. ) The Palestine Class. Resident Grade. 2 cents. 

8. ) The Palestine Class. Explorer Grade. 2 cents. 

9. ) The Palestine Class. Dweller in Jerusalem Grade. 
2 cents. 

10. ) The Young Traveler's Class. 10 cents. 

11. ) The Church Catechism. No. I. 4 cents. 

12. ) The Church Catechism, No. 2. 5 cents. 

13. ) The Church Catechism. No. 3. 6 cents. 

14. ) The Chautauqua Young Folks' Reading Union. The 
Course of the Chautauqua Young Folks' Reading Union for 
each year will be recognized by the Junior League with a 
Seal. 

All prices include mailing. 

9. For the leaflets or books of these courses address the 
Publisliing Agents, Hunt & Eaton, New York, or Cran- 
ston & Stowe, Cincinnati. Samples of the leaflets will be 
sent upon application, if a stamp is inclosed. Tlie blanks 
for examination in these courses will not be sent to individ- 
ual students, but to the Secretary or Leader. For the Ex- 
amination, address only Rev. J. L. Hurlbut, 150 Fifth Ave- 



APPENDIX. 



199 



nue, inclosing stamp for each copy, and stating carefully upon 
which course the Examination is desired. Order the lessons 
of the Publishing Agents and the examination of the Cor- 
responding Secretary, and if both are sent for order them 
separately. 

10. A Badge has been provided for the Junior League, and 
may be obtained of Hunt & Eaton, New York, and Cran- 
ston & Stowe, Cincinnati. Price, 12 cents each ; per 
dozen, $i 25. 

11. No pledge is required from the members by the Cen- 
tral Office, but each Chapter of the Junior League may 
have such pledge or requirement as may be deemed desirable, 
such as : 

1. ) The daily reading of a portion of Scripture by each 
member. 

2. ) Daily prayer at home. 

3. ) A promise to abstain from the use of tobacco. 

4. ) A promise to abstain from profane language. 

In some places a pledge on the part of members may be 
helpful ; in others, the young people may be reached and 
benefited better without it ; therefore the matter is left to the 
discretion of the Pastor and Executive Committee. Cards 
containing the above pledge, handsomely printed in colors, 
have been prepared, and may be obtained from the Publish- 
ing Agents for 5 cents each ; per dozen, 40 cents. 

12. The organ of the Junior League is T/ie Epworth Her- 
ald, the young people's paper of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. It will contain the list of Leagues, names of offi- 
cers, plans of working, and whatever will interest the mem- 
bers. It is published by Cranston & Stowe, Chicago. 
Price. $1 50 per year. 

13. For the Constitution of the Junior League and other 
information, address Rev. J. L. Hurlbut, 

150 Fifth Avenue, New York. 



200 



EP WORTH LEAGUE WORKERS. 



VI. CONSTITUTION OF THE JUNIOR 
EPWORTH LEAGUE. 



Article I. — Name. 
This organization shall be known as the Junior Epworth 
League, and shall be auxiliary to the Epworth League. 

Article II. — Organization. 

1. The Junior Epworth League shall have a superintendent, 
appointed by the pastor, who shall be ex officio a member of 
the Cabinet of the Epworth League Chapter. The Depart- 
ment of Spiritual Work of the Epworth League is expected 
to assist the pastor and superintendent in carrying on the work. 

2. Where no Chapter of the Epworth League exists, the 
Junior Epworth League may be organized, and shall be un- 
der the control of the Sunday-School Board. 

Article III. — Object. 
The object of the Junior Epworth League shall be to pro- 
mote in its members an earnest and intelligent spiritual life, 
bring them into membership in the Church, and train them 
in works of mercy and help. 

Article IV. — Membership. 

T. Members shall be boys and girls under fourteen years 
of age. Divisions in the membership may be made for pur- 
poses of greater efficiency. 

2. Names of persons proposed for membership shall be 
given in writing to the Secretary, and they shall become mem- 
bers when elected by a majority vote of the members present 
at any regular meeting. 

Article V. — Departments. 
The work of the Junior Epworth League shall be carried on 
under the same general plan as that of the Epworth League. 
The following is the arrangement of departments: 



APPENDIX. 



201 



Department First. Spiritual Life. — The key-word Heart 
denotes that the first work of the Junior League is the devel- 
opment of true heart-life. The conversion of the children 
should be the purpose of every Junior superintendent. Plain 
and simple teaching of our doctrines and instruction in Chris- 
tian duties will result in personal acceptance of the Saviour. 
Attention should be paid to testimony. Let the children be 
taught to testify in their own way to their own faith. The 
same is true of prayer. Our Juniors should practice in public 
prayer in their meetings. 

The truest evangelism is personal work. Converted chil- 
di-en can do much to bring other children to Christ. This is 
a most important part of the work. 

Department Second. Mercy and Help, — The key-word 
Hand denotes helpfulness — a hand reached out to do good. 
The Juniors are taught unselfishness. The measure of one's 
ability to help others is the measure of his value in the world. 

Temperance work : By signing the pledge, by holding a 
monthly temperance meeting, by circulating temperance lit- 
erature. 

Tract Distribtition : By giving out tracts and religious 
papers. 

Visiting the sick with cheerful words, flowers, and offers of 
help. 

Missionary work : Local work, helping in the Church mis- 
sionary collection, and by doing some definite work, such as 
supporting an orphan in some foreign field. It is a good 
thing to have a monthly missionary meeting. 

Department Third. Literary Work. — The key-word Head 
menus intellectual life and training. Children should be 
taught that all knowledge is laid under tribute to the growing 
believer. There should be study of the Bible as a book. 
There should be drill in the history of our own Church, in 
the "ten points " of doctrine, and catechism, etc. Our chil- 
dren should grow up intelligent Methodists. 

Literary meetings may be held with great profit, simple 
rules of parliamentary practice taught, and much done to 



202 



EP IVOR TH LEA G UE WORKERS. 



secure correct habits of thought and a taste for good liter- 
ature. There will be a Junior Reading Course, carefully se- 
lected with reference to the carrying out of this plan. 

Departinetit Fourth. Social Work. — The key-word is Feet. 
The meaning is a life of busy activity. 




Seeking new viemhers : The children seeking the children 
to bring to them the inspiration of League ideas ; bringing 
especially to cliildren of irreligious homes such influences as 
will help in all their after lives. 

This department will have much to do concerning whole- 



APPENDIX. 



203 



some entertainmenis. The children must have entertainment. 
There will be room for much wisdom and experiment, but it 
is wise to take pains. First lessons are likely to be perma- 
nent. 

Music is an important factor in the work. Let the beet 
hymns be systematically taught and committed to memory, 
and let good music be furnished for all meetings. 

Badges should be worn. Let all Juniors be taught their 
meaning, and taught to stand by their colois. 

Epworlh Guards : If possible have a company of boys em- 
bodying the military idea. 

Departjnent Fifth. Correspondence. — The key-word Pen 
means training in the keeping of records, and this is more 
important than at first appears. Writing to absent members 
will keep them interested and loyal. Systematic furnishing 
of all notices for the pulpit and the papers will be excellent 
training. 

Deparlinent Sixth. Finance. — The key-word is Pocket, 
and means the consecration of our money to God. No more 
important work can be done than to rightly train the Juniors 
how to save money in the years when discipline is needed, and 
how io give money in the years when habits are being formed. 
Give the Juniors information concerning our great causes, 
and teach them to give. 

Let the business matters of the Junior Epworth League be 
attended to in a strictly business-like way, and let the League 
learn to be self-supporting. 

Article VL — Officers. 

The officers shall be an adult Superintendent appointed by 
the Pastor, who shall have general oversight of the work ; a 
President, four Vice-Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer, who, 
together with the Superintendent and Pastor, shall constitute 
the Cabinet of the Junior Epworth League. 

These officers shall be elected by ballot by the members 
from among their own numbers at a regular meeting, and 
shall take tlieir places in the order named. 



204 EP IVOR 7 // LEA G VE WORKERS. 



Article VII. — By-laws. 

The Junior Epworth League may enact such By-laws as it 
shall require, in accordance with the provisions of the above 
Constitution. 

Modifications of this Constitution may be made to suit the 
special needs of different localities. " Mission Bands," 
"Bands of Hope," "Girls' Sewing Circles," and like socie- 
ties may become departments of the Junior Epworth League. 



This Constitution and Plan is to be worked wherever prac- 
ticable. It will pay pastors and superintendents to take the 
trouble necessary to give it a thorough test. Wherever this 
can be done fully, let it be done as nearly as possible. 



EPWORTH LEAGUE WORKERS. 205 



IX. THE DISTRICT LEAGUE. 



1. The District League, next to the Local Chapter, is the 
most important link in the system of the Epworth League, 
and should be organized upon every presiding elder's district 
in the Church, It is needed in order to promote the establish- 
ment of the League in the charges, to help them when 
estabished, and to increase their efficiency by co-operation 
and supervision. The District League will form a bond of 
union among the young people's societies, will strengthen 
their esprit de corps., intensify their loyalty to the Church, and 
greatly add to their usefulness. It is needed, also, in order 
that the District League may elect delegates to the General 
Conference District Convention, which in turn chooses mem- 
bers for the Board of Control. 

2. The District League should consist of all the young 
people's societies upon the district, which are connected with 
Methodist Episcopal churches, and approved by the pastor 
and Official Board or Quarterly Conference. It should not be 
limited to societies bearing the name of the Epworth League 
and organized under its auspices, though that form of organ- 
ization for local societies is preferable. Any society of young 
people in a Methodist Episcopal church, which is approved 
by the authorities thereof, should be recognized as entitled to 
representation in the convention of the District League. It 
is recommended, further, that where no League or young 
people's society is organized, the Sunday-school board should 
be invited to send delegates, or the pastor should appoint 
them. For when representative young people from such 
charges are sent to the convention they return home with 
knowledge of the League and enthusiasm in its behalf, and 
they are almost certain to establish it in their churches. 

3. In the institution of the District League the presiding 
elder can do more than any other person, minister or lay, 

14 



206 



APPENDIX. 



upon the district. He can call attention to the League in his 
quarterly visitation, can have its officers approved and their 
names recorded upon the Journal of the Quarterly Conference, 
can circulate its literature, and in many ways can promote its 
efficiency as a valuable arm of the Church's service. The pre- 
siding eider, therefore, is the most suitable person to take the 
initiative in the establishment of the District League. But if 
the presiding elder be otherwise engaged, any League in the 
district may call a convention for the organization of the 
District League, though in the call and in the convention the 
presiding elder should be recognized as the executive officer 
of the district. 

4. The following are the steps to be taken for the organiza- 
tion of the District League : Let a central or convenient place 
be chosen, and a young people's convention for the district be 
called for a whole day's session, or, if preferable, for an after- 
noon and evening session. To this convention let every 
Epworth League or young people's society of any name, upon 
the district, be invited to send delegates. If a large conven- 
tion can be entertained, ask for five delegates from each 
League; if a smaller convention be preferable, let each send 
three delegates. In all cases let the pastor be one of the 
delegates, and, as far as practicable, let the delegates be young 
people, both young ladies and young gentlemen. Where 
there is no young people's society let delegates be chosen by 
the Sunday-school board or named by the pastor. If the con- 
vention can be held at a church where there is a strong 
League, let the Local Chapter assist in the arrangements 
provide entertainment, and increase the enthusiasm of the 
gathering. Let the notice of the convention be published in 
the Church papers and in the local press. 

5. We suggest the following programme for a young people's 
Convention called to organize the District League : 

1. ) Let the presiding elder or chairman of committee of 
arrangements call the convention to order and request the 
election of a temporary president and secretary. 

2. ) Let there be opening religious exercises, singing and 



EP IVOR TH LEA G UE WORKER S. 20 7 



prayer. If time admit have several hymns and prayers, 
calling upon young people as well as ministers to take part. 
Good selections of Scripture for reading are, Psa. 72; Psa. 
119. 1-16 ; I Cor. 3. 7-23 ; Eph. 4. 1-16 ; 2 Tim. 2. 1-15 ; 
2 Pet. I. i-ii. 

3. ) Let committees be appointed upon credentials; upon 
constitution; upon nominations; and upon resolutions. The 
committee upon credentials may circulate blanks, upon which 
each delegate may write name, address, name of his church, 
and name of his young people's society, and by collecting 
these papers make an enrollment of the convention. The 
committee on constitution and that on nominations will need 
to confer together, that the latter committee may know for 
what offices to prepare nominations. 

4. ) Let there be an address or a discussion, or both, and let 
some phase of young people's work be presented. 

5. ) Begin the second session, whether afternoon or evening, 
with a young people's prayer-meeting, led by a young member, 
and participated in by the young people generally. 

6. ) At the second session have an address or paper on some 
other aspect of young people's work, or its relation to the 
Church ; how to conduct the League, etc. 

7. ) Let the committees be prepared to present their report, 
formally organize the District League, and elect the officers. 

8. ) If time admit call for brief reports of work from all the 
Leagues and other societies \ipon the district. 

6. We offer a few miscellaneous suggestions concerning the 
management of the convention : Good music will greatly add 
to its interest; therefore, have a musical conductor, a choir, 
and a soloist or two ; or, if these are not practicable, let there 
be frequent singing of stirring hymns. Let there be a collation 
at meal-time, all the delegates taking lunch together, under 
the auspices of the local Chapter. Have ribbon-badges 
printed, "Blank District Epworth League Convention," and 
let them be worn by all the delegates. Obtain a supply of 
Epworth Leaflets, application-blanks, and sani])le copies of 
T/ie Epworth Herald, and see that tlicy are circulated. 



208 



APPENDIX. 



Above all, let the convention be pervaded by a genial, spirit- 
ual atmosphere, which will send the members home inspired 
with new zeal. 

7. The officers of the District League should be chosen 
with care. The president should be the organizer of the 
League for the district, and therefore should be the presiding 
elder, or some young preacher or layman of energy, leadership, 
and willingness to work. The vice-presidents should represent 
the different sections of the district, and at least one of them 
should be a lady. The corresponding secretary should be an 
efficient worker, who will enter into communication wath 
Leagues, learn their methods of work, and stir up pastors, 
churches, and young people to organize where necessary. In 
the appointment of officers have the young people recognized, 
and let ladies as well as gentlemen be chosen. 

8. We subjoin a form of Constitution for the District 
League. This form is not obligatory, but is presented simply 
as a suggestion to aid the committee on constitution in its 
work, and may be modified in any of its articles. 



CONSTITUTION OF DISTRICT LEAGUE. 
Article I. — Name. 

This organization shall be known as the District 

Epworth League of the Conference of the Methodist 

Episcopal Church. 

Article II. — Object. 
The object of tbis organization shall be to unite in fellow- 
ship and Christian work the young people of the District 
through the Epworth League and other young people's 
societies. 

Article III. — Relations. 
This District League shall consist of the Epworth Leagues 
and other approved young people's societies on the district ; 
it shall be affiliated with the General District League of the 



EP WORTH LEAGUE WORKERS. 



209 



General Conference District and with the Ep'worth 

League of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Article IV. — Members. 
All Epworth Leaf^ues on the district shall be re- 
garded as affiliated branches of the District League, and also 
any other young people's society connected with a Methodist 
Episcopal church on the district, and approved by the Quarterly 
Conference or Official Board of the said church. 

Article V. — Officers. 

1. The officers of the District League shall be a President, 
three or more Vice-Presidents, a Corresponding Secretary, 
Recording Secretary, Treasurer, and an Executive Committee 
of three members, one of whom shall be the presiding elder 
of the district. 

2. The duties of the officers shall be those usually pertain- 
ing to such offices. 

3. The officers shall be elected at the annual convention, 
and shall hold their offices one year, or until their successors 
are chosen. 

4. It shall be the duty of the president to aid wherever 
practicable in the organization of new leagues. 

5. It shall be the duty of the Corresponding Secretary to 
obtain, by correspondence with the secretaries of local leagues, 
such facts as will enable him to make a report at the Annual 
Meeting of the number, membership, and condition of the 
societies upon the district. 

6. The officers, with the Executive Committee, shall con- 
stitute the District Board of Control, to take charge of the 
interests of the League during the year. The Board of 
Control shall meet at such times as may be necessary, by 
appointment of the presiding elder, the president, or any 
three of its members. 

Article VI. — Convention. 
I. The District League shall hold an annual convention, at 
such place and time as may be designated by the Board of 
Control. 



210 



APPENDIX. 



2. At the convention the President, Corresponding Secretary, 
and Treasurer shall present written reports ; a report shall be 
rendered, either in writing or by a delegate, from each young 
people's society in the district ; the officers shall be elected ; 
two delegates shall also be chosen to represent the district in 
the General Conference District Convention; and such other 
business as may come before the League shall be transacted. 

3. Each Epworth League or young people's society con- 
nected with a church on the district, and approved by its 
Official Board, shall be entitled to send to the convention five 
delegates, one of whom shall be the pastor of the church. 
Any league or society having more than fifty members shall 
be entitled to an additional delegate for every fifty members 
above the first fifty, or for a two-thirds fraction thereof. Any 
charge on the district, not having a society or league, may be 
represented in the convention by its pastor and three other 
delegates appointed by the Sunday-school board or by the 
pastor. 

Article VIL — Amendments. 
This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote at 
the AnnualConvention; said amendment having been approved 
by the District Board of Control. 



EP WORTH LEAGUE WORKERS. 



211 



X. THE DENOMINATIONAL YOUNG 
PEOPLE'S SOCIETY. 



That our young people will be organized is clearly shown 
by the signs of the time. This is the age of the young people, 
and this is the age of organization. The current sweeps with 
irresistible force toward some form of society for the young 
people. The question before our Church is not whether we 
shall have Young People's Societies, but whether we shall have 
a Young People's Society of oz/r own. We of the Epworth 
League are clear in the conviction that the best interests of 
our young people, and of our Church as well, are promoted by 
a denominational, rather than by an undenominational, or, 
as some people prefer to have it called, an interdenominational 
society. 

We point, first of all, to the spirit of our Church- as shown 
in its history. From the beginning our people have been " a 
peculiar people." We have not copied other Churches in our 
theology, nor our hymnology, nor our polity, nor our preach- 
ing, nor our methods of evangelistic work. Our fathers 
resolutely, perhaps stubbornly, insisted upon being unlike all 
their fellow Christians. If they had sought to copy other 
Churches, to assimilate with them, to tone down their enthu- 
siasm to the level of others, to liarmonize their creed or their 
system with those of others, Methodism would not be in the 
forefront of progress. The young David of a century ago won 
his victory, not in Saul's armor, but with weapons all his own. 
For a hundred years we have been successful according to the 
n}easure that we have sought to be ourselves, and to do our 
work in our own way. In dealing with its young people our 
Church will bring to pass the best results by holding fast to its 
own traditions, while it seeks cordiality and fraternity, but 



212 



APPENDIX. 



not union of organization, with its sister Churches. The re- 
lation between the Cliuixh and its young people is too vital 
for us to hand their supervision over to any outside authority. 

There is a reason for our denominational organization in 
the fact that our plans for the young people are original, are 
unique, are broader and more complete than those of any un- 
denominational society. They are original, for the Epworth 
League has not drawn an idea from any existing society. 
They are unique, urilike those of any other organization. That 
tliey are broader and more complete may be perceived by a 
comparison of our constitution for local Chapters with the 
model constitution of the leading union society of our time. 
We aim in our society to promote a symmetrical Christian 
character. As its basis there should be an earnest religiour 
experience and a strong testimony for Christ. We want an 
association in which our young people shall speak and sing 
and pray together, and llius become built up^ to be pillars in 
the Church of the twentieth century. To earnestness \ve seek 
to add intelligence ; uniting with the old-fashioned fire a 
broad Christian culture. We seek also for practical useful- 
ness, and. would train our young people in works of mercy and 
help. If we can have earnest, intelligent, and working 
Christians, ours will be an ideal Church. A glance at the 
'* Epworth wheel," printed with our constitution, will show 
the comprehensiveness of our aims ; and the results of our 
work in many places will prove that we accomplish them. 

We find a sufiicient warrant for our society in the demand 
for an intelligent Church loyalty among our young people. 
Just because our system is different from that of other Churches, 
our youth need to receive instruction concerning it. They 
should be tauglit wherein the Methodist episcopacy differs 
from that of other episcopal bodies, and is superior to others. 
They should know why we find twoscore of churches together 
under the care of a presiding elder. They should understand 
the principles of '* our settled itinerancy." If our two 
million young people can be made acquainted with the 
system of their Church, they will not love other Churches less, 



EP WORTH LEAGUE WORKERS. 



213 



but they will love iheir own more. Then, too, our people 
need to be informed concerning their Chui-ch's history, whicii 
contains some of the most romantic pages and narrates some 
of the most heroic deeds in the annals of Christianity. We 
would bring our youth into contact with Wesley and Fletcher, 
with Asbury and Jesse Lee, with Wilbur Fisk and Bishop 
Simpson, and let the communion of these saints give them 
new inspiration. In a union organization these subjects must 
be ignored, and we must be silent concerning our own Church. 
But these are too important to be passed by. We must 
present them to our young people regularly, systematically, 
constantly. . And, therefore, we need a denominational Young 
People's Society. 

We would have the members of our Young People's Society, 
if they take up courses of reading, find them in our own 
literature. We would have its organ not a paper controlled 
by another denomination, but one of our own periodicals, 
under the direction of our own Church and promoting our 
institutions. 

There is also the advantage oi pcr7nanence in a society of 
our own. If a society depends solely upon the enthusiasm of 
young people it will soon cease to live. Young people grow 
up, change their opinions, remove from their homes. A few 
years will witness the rise and fall of most Young People's 
Societies. We would have ours engrafted upon the tree of the 
Church, both locally and in general. Any independent 
organization is in danger of becoming a disintegrating force, 
and is almost certain to decline after a few years. But the 
society cannot be a part of our system unless it be under our 
control. We cannot introduce into our polity an organization 
directed by gentlemen, however estimable or eminent, out- 
side of our own body. If we are to have a society recommended 
by our bishops, indorsed by our Conferences, and acceptable 
to our official boards, it must be controlled throughout by the 
authorities of our Church. This alone will give it a harmony 
with our institutions and an enduring existence. Then, the 
pastor will watch over it, the official members will give it a 



214 



APPENDIX. 



fostering care, the presiding elder will make quarterly inquiry 
concerning its work, and the organization itself will become 
an integral part of our system, to stand while the Church 
stands. 

Ihese, then, are the reasons why we have established the 
Epworth League, and we deem them sufficient reasons why 
it should be organized in every part of our field. It is in 
accordance with the spirit and the history of our Church ; it 
aims for a complete Christian character ; it enlightens our 
young people in the doctrines, institutions, and annals of 
Methodism ; it strengthens the bonds of loyalty to the Church ; 
it builds for the future more than for the present, and we be- 
lieve it will abide in strength when irresponsible associations 
will be forgotten. 



EF WORTH LEAGUE WORKERS. 215 



THE CLEVELAND CONFERENCE. 



Besides the Oxford League, already briefly noticed, the 
lour other societies that met in the Cleveland Conference — • 
all of them noble organizations and all of them flourishing — 
had deserved the confidence and gratitude of the Church for 
their loyal devotion and consecrated endeavor. 

The Young People's Methodist Episcopal Alliance of the 
North Ohio Conference announced a complete organization 
in December, 1888. The general plan was that of the Ohio 
Oxford League in organization, and a pledge was used. J. 
S. Reager was President and B. J. Mills was Secretary. 

The Young People's Methodist Alliance, which gave espe- 
cial attention to spiritual culture, and employed a pledge, 
was fully organized in 1885, and was the outgrowth of a 
solemn meeting held at Desplaines (111.) Camp-meeting, 
August 21, 1883. Its President was Henry Date, its General 
Secretary M. D. Carrel, and its paper The Alliance Herald, 
had for its first editor Mrs. S. A. Kean, though later the peri- 
odical was changed to Methodist Yoimg People, and edited 
by Secretary Carrel. This was the largest of the four socie- 
ties, numerically. 

The Christian League, which aimed at the symmetrical 
cultivation of young Christians, and wliose field was chiefly 
limited to New England, where it flourished with great vigor, 
was organized in Boston, October 26, 1887. W. I. Haven was 
President, and W. P. Odell Secretary. 

The Methodist Young People's Union originated in the 
Detroit Conference Young People's Society, which arose early 
in 1888, and in December of the same year announced its 
completed plans for a broader field of work. It published an 
organ, Our Young People, of which F. A. Smart was editor. 



216 



APPENDIX. 



"W. W. Washburn was President of the society, and F. A. 
Smart Corresponding Secretary. 

The i-epresentatives of the five societies were as follows ; 

The Young People's Methodist Episcopal Alliance, of 
North Ohio Conference, J. S. Reager, G. A. Reeder, B. J. 
Mills, B. J. Hoadley, O. M. Badgley, L. K. Warner. 

The Young People's Methodist Alliance, M. 1). Carrel, 
W. I. Cogshall, S. A. Keen,S. W. Heald, Henry Date, W. W. 
Cooper. 

The Methodist Young People's Union, W. W. Washburn, 
C. H. Morgan, S. Plantz, F..A. Smart, C. B. Spencer, J. E. 
Jacklin. 

The Young People's Christian League, W. I. Haven, W. P. 
Odell, C. A. Littlefield. 

The Oxford League, J. L. Hurlbut, J. M. Freeman, R. R. 
Doherty, B. E. Helman, J. T. Docking, J. E. Price. 

The Conference assembled on Tuesday morning, May 14, 
1889, and as the call had been issued by the Methodist Alli- 
ance, the meeting was called to order by W. W. Cooper, then 
Secretary of the Alliance. The Conference then organized 
with W. W. Cooper as President, and chose as Secretary C. 
B. Spencer, of the Young People's Union. The Conference, 
after two days' session, completed its labors about midnight of 
May 15, and adjourned sine die. 



EP WOR TH LEA G UE WORKER S. 217 



THE OLD HOME AT EPWORTH. 



Bishop Gilbert Haven gave in the Pilgrim'' s Wallet nearly 
thirty years ago, a delightful sketch of the village and rec- 
tory of Epvi^orth, forever famous as the home of the Wesleys, 
and now invested v^'ith new cjjarm for the young people of 
American Methodism. We quote only the following lines 
relating to the rectory : 

" In the heart of the village are the pleasant grounds of the 
rectory. Like all such gardens of delight in England, they 
are shut from all eyes by very high, blank walls. I wished 
to look on the spot where Wesley was born and the house 
where he spent his early years, so I lifted the latch of the 
gate and entered, uninvited and unwelcomed. The house is a 
plain brick edifice, standing a few rods from the street. Be- 
fore it spreads a level lawn more than a hundred feet square, 
with a walk around it shaded witli venerable trees and lined 
with shrubbery and flowers. A vegetable garden on the 
north and pastures on the east complete the rural picture. 
The house was the same that Samuel Wesley built after the 
one was destroyed by fire from which John was saved. His 
living was evidently valualile, and the family exclusive and 
superior to their rustic neighbors. The present rector is the 
son of a lord, and the present value of the living is about 
lOO, or over $5,000; it was correspondingly valuable in 
the days of Wesley. So the Methodist pioneer was, in the 
English sense of the word, a gentleman ; and his life, in view 
of the intense pride and exclusiveness of caste, was the more 
remarkable and honorable. The ghosts that troubled the 
Wesley family were long since laid. The comfortable man- 
sion looks as tliough it was above such intrusions. It is not 
Stately nor spacious, though sufficiently ample and convcn- 



218 



APPENDIX. 



ient. A single parlor, Avitli an entry by the side of it, a like 
room behind it, wings in the rear, all of fair width and height 
— such is the house Avhere John Wesley received his first and 
chief education. There the child gamboled, the boy studied, 
the youth meditated, the man struggled and triumphed and 
went forth, a chosen vessel, to bear truth and grace to un- 
numbered myriads and generations. 

" A memorial church should be erected to his memory here. 
No son cf England deserves it more. The society need it, 
and would aid in the enterprise. A window to the memory 
of the rector and his wife should be in the church — a costly 
Gothic temple should bear his name. I trust the enterprise 
will be inaugurated by his disciples in England. It will meet 
with a hearty response in America." 

The wish of the writer has since been realized in the erec= 
tion of a beautiful Wesleyan memorial church. 



THE END. 



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